Whatever Wednesday

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

In the eyes of conservatives, kneeling during the anthem was disrespectful to the flag and to the country, regardless of the motive. The objections were separate from the debate about the prevalence of police brutality and racism — although kneeling defenders no doubt had their suspicions. The point was that the national anthem was a moment for all to rise above particular divisions and stand united in pride and appreciation for the blessing to live in this country. --Jim Geraghty, National Review Online 10/15

GOD & HUMAN AFFAIRS

We think of God as a significant player in human affairs. Did he create man and woman? He might, in that event, have useful thoughts on the mission of man and woman, and their relationship to each other. If so, there would seem to be the need to hear him out -- even to act upon his ideas. So the founders certainly thought. The men who made America -- George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, Patrick Henry and so on down the line -- made room in its institutions and civil guarantees for whatever obligations and responsibilities God might lay upon the people of America. --Bill Murchison, Townhall 10/15

SOCIALISM

If socialist wannabes in America fail to look at the facts, the United States might finally succumb to socialism. The American Left’s love affair with Scandinavian socialism is dangerous because it holds the possibility of hoodwinking enough of the populace into voting to replace the capitalist system that made America great with the socialist system that made Stalin all powerful and the people all hungry. They say the republic dies when the majority discovers it can vote to take other people’s stuff. Let’s hope that day remains elusive. --Rand Paul, NRO 10/16

MEN & WOMEN

Cultures around the world show very similar differences between men and women. Men are more likely to seek status; women are more likely to take care of children. Women are more likely to stay in the home; men are more likely to do dangerous, aggressive things like go to war. --John Stossel, Townhall 10/16

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

The First Amendment of the Constitution is about protecting religious liberty. It is not about banning religion from American public life. Too often, in these confused times, it has been interpreted as the latter. --Star Parker, ditto