Michael McKenna

A season of hope, redemption and salvation

In case my friend Luke isn't clear enough, Christmas is about the hope of salvation. Published December 20, 2024

Why winning elections never guarantees lasting change in America

For almost a thousand years, victorious Roman generals were celebrated in a "triumph" or ritual procession through the heart of Rome. Published December 18, 2024

‘Silent Night’: The most popular Christmas carol on the planet

A few nights ago, on the first really cold night in Virginia, I walked past a woman on the streets of Alexandria who was playing an instrument and singing all the verses to "Silent Night." Published December 14, 2024

Syria and the failure of the Western elites

With the disappearance of the Assad regime from Syria, the Middle East returns again to what it was before the last couple of centuries of combined Anglo and American hegemon. Published December 11, 2024

Trump should finish the job, grant general amnesty for political prisoners

Last week, to no one's surprise, President Biden issued a broad pardon to his son Hunter Biden, exonerating him for anything he may have done pretty much from his childhood up to the current moment. Published December 8, 2024

Fred Smith is more important than Hunter Biden

Much attention in the last few days has been singularly focused on the latest twist in the soap opera that is Hunter Biden, and with good reason. Published December 4, 2024

The story of Richard Warren: A true Thanksgiving tale

In 1621, Richard Warren scuffled for survival on the western edge of the North Atlantic along with the small group of Pilgrims at Plymouth, almost half of whom died in that first year from disease and privation. Published November 27, 2024

The lessons of Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general

The eight-day odyssey that was the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general demonstrated with emphasis a few lessons about how Washington and the larger world tend to work. Published November 24, 2024

Biden wanted Trump to win

In all the propaganda offered by both sides about the recent election, two landscape features seem obvious. Published November 20, 2024

Patrick Buchanan, first champion of America First agenda

Were it not for Patrick Buchanan, Donald Trump would not have twice been elected president and we would not be trying to tease out the merits and demerits of his nominees in the middle of November. Published November 15, 2024

Why people do not and should not trust today’s legacy news media

Once in a while, the bias of the legacy media becomes obvious and unavoidable, and you can only not see it if you choose to look the other way. Published November 13, 2024

Three important takeaways from the election

As always, the commentariat has expended a lot of intellectual firepower examining the election results from every possible angle. As usual, most of that has been a waste of time. Published November 8, 2024

Whether your candidate won or lost, get over it

In the wake of any electoral setback, it is tempting for those who voted for the losers to spiral into depression and despair. Similarly, winners usually get carried away and interpret the results as a mandate to do whatever they want. Both should resist those impulses. Published November 6, 2024