“Extremism” as a Ticket to Tyrannize by James Bovard “Extremists” are one of the famous bogeymen that American politicians invoke to sanctify their own power. But the definition of “extremism” has forever been in flux. The only consistent element in definitions of extremism is that politicians always win. In the 1770s, people who suggested that […]
Tag Archives | John Brown
Thoreau and Emerson Helped Spark the Civil War
American Conservative, July 9, 2020 19th Century Radical Chic: How Transcendentalists’ Swooned Over John Brown Thoreau and Emerson’s effort to canonize the abolitionist fanatic helped spark the Civil War. by Jim Bovard Many Americans have been aghast at violent mobs toppling statues and the widespread looting and destructive rampages that followed the killing of George […]
Happy 200th Birthday, Thoreau!
Henry David Thoreau was born 200 years ago this week. His books and essays had a huge influence on my own life and writing. At its best, Thoreau’s writing is utterly captivating – series of vivid images and one thought after another driven home with a sledgehammer. In my late teens and early twenties, I used some […]
