Right Opinion
The best of conservative opinion and commentary, updated daily.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
That’s No Way to Tweet a Lady...
Even President Obama used to say “God bless America.” But when it comes to someone actually *asking* God’s blessing, liberals lose it. Exhibit A: This weekend’s Trump rally in Florida. Before the president spoke, he invited his wife to the podium to say a few words. When those words were the Lord’s Prayer, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Congress Must Stop Death-by-Decree
One of the mysteries of American government over the last half-century is why Congress has acceded so much lawmaking authority to what is now the fourth branch of government: federal agencies and interest groups. These agencies — the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration and dozens more — have become fiefdoms that reign over private industries. They are effectively accountable to no one — and certainly not to Congress.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Let the Market Fix Health Care
Republicans agree that Obamacare has failed and must be repealed. But they can’t agree on the replacement “plan.”
Labor Lost a Friend
Last week, Andy Puzder, President Trump’s pick to become Secretary of Labor, withdrew from consideration for the post. That is a huge loss for American workers.
An Echo of Trump in the Last of the Whigs
Millard Fillmore is largely forgotten, but his politics have a familiar ring
The Democrats Are Melting...Melting
There was that moment in “The Wizard of Oz” when the Wicked Witch of the West got splashed with a little water, and it spelled her doom. Before anyone knew what was happening, she evaporated, leaving only her black cloak and pointy hat in a small puddle.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
An Adult Voice Amid Pandemic Childishness
In his 72 years, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, who was raised in segregated Richmond, Virginia, acknowledges that he has seen much change, often for the better, including advances in the 1960s. But in his elegant new memoir, “All Falling Faiths: Reflections on the Promise and Failure of the 1960s,” he explains why today’s distemper was incubated in that “burnt and ravaged forest of a decade.”
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Trump’s Prediction
During Thursday’s White House press conference, President Trump berated the media for its dishonesty and hateful tone. He spoke for nearly 80 minutes and covered a wide range of topics. He also predicted that the media would grossly distort the press conference.
Meat Plant Raises the Steaks for Freedom
Donald Vander Boon has been operating a meatpacking center in Michigan for almost 15 years — but thanks to the federal government, it’s his freedom that’s getting butchered. The Christian family, who proudly says on their website that the company “seeks to glorify and honor God in all we do,” were shocked to find out during a visit by the USDA that it wasn’t their beef that was being inspected but their beliefs.
The White House Needs an Injection of Calm
Trump is an unusual character. He’d benefit if his staff included some conventional ones.
The So-Called Jewish Lobby
There are a fair number of anti-Semites in America who insist that every time the U.S. does something to support Israel, it proves that influential Jews are exerting undue influence on the person in the White House or on Congress.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Air It Out
In an environment where every day has felt like a month and almost every news cycle has something that the media consider a potentially administration-shaking disaster, we finally have something worthy of the perpetually screaming headlines — a national-security adviser getting fired under a haze of suspicion about his dealings with Russia.
The Real Crime in the Michael Flynn Saga
It goes without saying that Flynn had a duty to be honest with Vice President Mike Pence about what he discussed with the Russian ambassador, and whether the issue of U.S. sanctions against Russia was any part of those conversations. Regardless of whether you think President Donald Trump should have asked for Flynn’s resignation, the president had the right to ask him to resign. But not telling the truth to the vice president is not a crime under these circumstances.
Rookies in the White House
Major League Baseball has an annual training season in Florida. Maybe President Trump should have gone somewhere outside of Washington to hold tryouts for a month to see who on his team was ready to play in the big leagues.
Florist’s Case Stems From Intolerance
Barronelle Stutzman may be a small-town florist, but she’s planting plenty of national doubts about religious liberty. While liberal designers are celebrated for refusing to dress the First Lady, Christians continue to be hauled to court for asking for those same rights.
‘Saturday Night Live’ Smears Kellyanne
The New York Times was correct in 2011 when it proclaimed that “Saturday Night Live” has no equal “when it comes to stamping a politician in the public consciousness.”
How Crazy Are Things?
We’ve warned you before, but from this moment on everything you read in the mainstream press or watch on the evening news should be viewed very skeptically until you get confirmation from a source you trust. The Left is resorting to non-stop fake news to undermine the trust of the American people and scare weak-kneed Republicans on Capitol Hill.
Patriotism, Not Nationalism
National Review has sparked an important debate about nationalism. As someone who has been accused throughout her life of excessive love of country (can’t count the number of times I’ve been reproached for arguing that despite slavery, Jim Crow and the internment of Japanese-Americans, our country is eminently lovable), I feel a bit awkward rebutting anything that travels under the name “Love of Country.” Nevertheless, I must join Jonah Goldberg, Yuval Levin, Ben Shapiro and others in demurring from Rich Lowry’s and Ramesh Ponnuru’s defense of nationalism.
Why the Resistance Is the Best Thing That’s Happened to President Trump
Sure, it matters that President Donald Trump has a historically low favorability rating. Then again, disliking the president isn’t exactly a courageous act. ... Here’s a more revealing question pollsters might ask people: Do you “like” any better Sens. Chuck Schumer or Elizabeth Warren, pussyhatted marchers griping about the patriarchy or the totalitarians blocking Education Secretary Betsy Devos from walking into a public school?
‘Passionate Intensity’ Has Brought About Political Consequences
There’s been a lot of talk about how Trump is a “disruptor,” overturning conventional wisdom, throwing out the playbook, tearing down the establishment, transgressing “democratic norms” and a dozen other similar cliches. There’s little debate about whether or not Trump has done these things, but there’s a massive divide out there about whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. That debate itself is part of the problem. It’s not either/or but both/and.