When asked about his life, the Roman Emperor Semtimius Severus (ruled 103-211 AD), considered the last of the “good Emperors”, is reported to have said: “I have been everywhere and seen everything and it is really not all that much.” I guess even Emperors could get bored.

In every cloud there is a silver lining and I believe that this will be one positive which will come out of the current world wide virus. Colleges have been subsidized by government backed loans (meaning taxpayers) and easy money without any degree of accountability. This has forced students and parents to incur major debt that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Will they still pay outrageous tuition for on line courses? Taking on line courses may actually help students achieve a degree in less than four years as they concentrate on classes instead of rock climbing walls. College will be able to cut costs on diversity deans, high priced sport coaches, administration, buildings, etc. Another positive is that with reduced costs, parents will be able to save for their retirement which will be a boost to the overall economy. This could very well be an example of turning a negative into a positive. https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenmcbride1/2020/07/21/why-college-is-never-coming-back/?fbclid=IwAR11gtsVX1cnLYujijvPAp_L7NW2qoq4EEhrK3THoi8S0SMzW-py-iMvYtM#15d7865024b7

“nothing sinister in so arranging one’s affairs as to keep taxes as low as possible. Everybody does so, rich or poor; and all do right for nobody owes any public duty to pay more than the law demands…to demand more in the name of morals is mere cant.” Senior Judge of the U.S Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Learned Hand, the most quoted lower Court Judge by the Supreme Court in History (The Forgotten Man, pp 206)

“I like taxes. They are the price I pay for civilization” Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (Ibid, pp 313)

It is often said that it is important to follow the money. This excellent article shows how a simple home based industry can be developed thanks, in large part, to the immense size of the Federal government. Could someone life Howard Ross, a private “diversity consultant” survive in any milieu except that of government bureaucracy? This article in City Journal will help you to understand why movements such “White Fragility” have a life of their own and can survive. https://www.city-journal.org/white-fragility-comes-to-washington

This excellent article, written by a young man of immigrant parents from India brings to light certain facts that should make those who blame White Privilege for the sins of the world to stop just for a moment and perhaps do a bit of critical thinking (but I doubt they shall). As you read the article you will find that whites actually underachieve vs. several minority groups in several key categories. The underlying thread to success lies in growing up with two parents. Yes, success can be achieve with only one parent, but the odds rapidly change and put the young person at a sever disadvantage. A two parent household is one of the inconvenient truths that is so often ignored or mocked, but those who ignore it do so at their children’s peril. https://nypost.com/2020/07/11/the-fallacy-of-white-privilege-and-how-its-corroding-society/

A look at racial and ethnic quotas from around the world show that they are either counter productive, used to lower standards, destroy meritocracy or lead to corruption. What positives have we seen after decades of quotas here in the United States? Will quotas ever end and with the changing demographics of the nation, how can they be justified when the minority becomes the majority? This is a thoughtful article which provides examples of failed quotas from around the world.https://quillette.com/2020/07/03/affirmative-action-in-a-multiethnic-nation/

BLM has in the past few weeks become a power to watch; most people are ignorant of their leaders, goals, underlying philosophy, etc. Their ability to mobilize is impressive and their funding is opaque at best. The following article provides videos of some of their leaders as well as documentation of their goals, philosophy and leadership. BE ADVISED! Previous postings of this article elsewhere has lead to serious verbal and written attacks of the producer of the article as well as whoever posts it, BUT I have seen no documented proof that any of the information in the article is inaccurate or that it has distorted or taken out of context statements, interviews, etc. It is up to you to decide the validity or worth of the article. I would suggest that before you read the article, you read about the author at soerenkern.com/about https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/16181/black-lives-matter

Amity Shlaes in her excellent history of the Depression, The Forgotten Man, outlines how FDR in his admitted goal of “unimagined power”, begin the process of cutting the American electorate like a sausage and appealing to each groups individual interests. No longer was the public asked to support what was good for the country as a whole, but the interests of labor, senior citizens, farmers and union workers were systematically offered rewards for their support.

New York City is a prime example of what could go wrong during a pandemic. Political leaders were late in recognizing the problem and years of neglect and misdirection of funds left many hospitals ill-equipped to deal with the multiple problems. The doctors and nurses often worked under difficult and contradictory conditions and guidelines. While some errors can be excused, several decisions led to higher than necessary deaths and the question is whether the politicians, administrators, bureaucrats and medical profession will learn from the crisis and be better prepared the next time. https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-new-yorks-coronavirus-response-made-the-pandemic-worse-11591908426?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1

It is dangerous to draw parallels in history, but there are certain trends and facts that seem to run through history. In this excellent interview from the Wall Street Journal of Gary Saul Morson, a professor of Russian history at Northwestern University, he points out the role of the “intelligentsia” during the Russian Revolution and in today’s protests. The concept of “the right side of history” or “an idea whose time has come” is believed by the highly educated who see themselves as the movers of history, the only ones able to lead the lower classes. They believe they are the movers because they are the “intellectuals” and “know” what is best. For over 50 years we have been governed, since the Kennedy Administration by the “best and the brightest” and we have gotten to a point where Freedom of Speech has become passe on the liberal left. https://www.wsj.com/articles/violent-protest-and-the-intelligentsia-11591400422?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=1