Free Republic

My fellow Americans and my friends: Tonight my single duty is to speak to the whole of America. Until four-thirty this morning I had hoped against hope that some miracle would prevent a devastating war in Europe and bring to an end the invasion of Poland by Germany. For four long years a succession of actual wars and constant crises have shaken the entire world and have threatened in each case to bring on the gigantic conflict which is today unhappily a fact. ...I myself cannot and do not prophesy the course of events abroad -- ...I cannot prophesy the...

PORTSMOUTH, England – President Donald Trump read from a prayer delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he joined other world leaders and veterans Wednesday in marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Roosevelt went on national radio on June 6, 1944, to address the U.S. for the first time about the Normandy invasion. Trump, with images of an American flag and Roosevelt projected behind him, read to the crowd: "Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation, this day, have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion and our civilization and to set free...

FDR was known for his fireside chats. He used them to take his message directly to the American people. Reagan was also known for taking his message directly to the American people. Should President Trump give his own version of fireside chats?

In a recent interview, Donald Trump was asked about his polarizing tweets and retweets. He was also asked if he would be a reckless president sending such tweets as a reaction to disagreements with World leaders. In his response he asserted that many people get outraged and question his tweets as a result of jealousy. Admittedly, Trump’s answer was underwhelming. He ventured into the number of followers he has on Twitter and suggested that many of his critics only have 50 followers. But the bigger question here is what role will Twitter (and other social sites) play in culture, foreign...

In classical Athens, hubris was a crime and considered the greatest sin in Greek society. In American society it is simply defined as an arrogant self-confidence, an overweening excessive pride. As most Americans know by now, you’re most likely to see it displayed on Wall Street, in Hollywood, or in the nation’s capitol where Wall Street and Hollywood collided with a vengeance during the most recent election. As we’ve now seen with “the stimuli,” including the current bill in Washington, there are a great many people in D.C. who want all our money and that of future generations to use...

David Frum has a tough piece out today in National Review Online arguing that George W. Bush has been ineffective in persuading Americans to stay the course in Iraq. This is a direct slap not only at the president, but also at his speechwriters, and from a former colleague who served in the speechwriting office in 2001 and 2002. Frum argues that Bush makes the same case over and over again, and does not flesh it out with arresting details and enlightening narrative."The president could have made news yesterday by itemizing the reasons to regard Iraq more positively than most...