Last week, I talked for a little bit about what I was calling the opportunistic “we,” which is really nothing more than a rhetorical sleight of hand that surfaces a lot in our public discourse. This tactic, no doubt sometimes intentional and sometimes not, defines “we” as broadly as possible when talking about entitlements and as narrowly as possible when talking about responsibilities. It’s an oscillation between two sets of referents. And it’s an oscillation that, like in the Lone Ranger joke, frequently leaves certain hapless palefaces holding the bag when it comes time for a reckoning. Originally, I had […]

There’s an old joke about Tonto and the Lone Ranger that might have cracked your grandparents up, even though it hits a little too close to home today. I don’t recall all the particulars, but the gist of it is that the two of them are narrowly surviving one Wild West crisis after another. Shootouts with bandits, runaway stagecoaches, collapsing mineshafts, that sort of thing. Each and every time they pull through by the skin of their teeth, nothing but their wits between them and certain death. But then, one fateful day, the pair find themselves chased into a canyon by […]

I hate to see stray dogs. Unfortunately, I live in a city that has more than its fair share of them. They’re a sad sight—skittish, fearful, usually in some state of malnourishment or starvation, ribs visible. Dogs are domesticated animals, and they don’t do well when they’re all on their own in the concrete jungle. Abandoned and pitiable creatures. My typical reaction, though, to seeing some un-collared mutt limping along is honestly nothing much. I think dark thoughts for a moment about irresponsible dog owners. Reflect briefly on how much I hate metropolitan life. Move on with my day. My wife, however, […]

I’m guessing, just now, when you saw the title “Leftists and Mental Illness,” you thought this was going to be some rambling fringe-right screed where I accuse our esteemed progressive colleagues of all manner of neurosis, disease, and psychiatric disorder. I’m guessing you prepared to eyeroll. Well, shame on you if you did. This is a classy e-publication, and I refuse to submit such rank partisan hackery to it. Moreover, I don’t even think that’s true. I don’t think most leftists are mentally ill (genderfluid militant ecofeminists notwithstanding). No. Actually, I want to discuss the accusations of mental illness that get […]