Democracy is often framed as a meritocratic system of governance—one in which the most capable, disciplined, and strategically minded individuals rise Continue Reading
Emperor Norton and the Republic of Absurdity
In September of 1859, a man walked into the offices of the San Francisco Bulletin and declared himself “Norton I, Emperor of the United States.” Continue Reading
In The Military and In Business: You Are What You Do, Not What You Say You’ll Do
Here is a simple truth that cuts through nearly every profession, every institution, and every claim of leadership: you are what you do, not what you Continue Reading
The Danger of Being “Normal”: Carl Jung and the Illusion of Stability
In military culture, “normal” is often treated as a benchmark. A soldier is expected to behave normally under pressure, to react normally to stress, Continue Reading
A Country That Hates Its Past Will Surrender Its Future
“I was ashamed of myself when I realized life was a costume party, and I attended with my real face.” The line is widely attributed to Franz Kafka, Continue Reading
Waste No More Time Arguing About What a Good Man Should Be. Just Be One.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius There’s a certain kind of man everyone in the military has Continue Reading
Explaining What a Pied-à-Terre Tax Is, and Why It’s a Bad Idea for New York
In April 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revived one of the most controversial ideas in modern urban tax Continue Reading
Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes: The Permanent Logic of Human Conflict
“Bellum omnium contra omnes.” The phrase is most commonly translated from Latin as “the war of all against all.” It originates from the political Continue Reading
So, I Guess “Lego Theft Ring” Is a Thing
Every now and then a news story comes along that reminds me I don't understand the world nearly as well as I think I do. This week, that story was Continue Reading
Why Are So Many People Suddenly Obsessed With the USS Liberty Incident (Again)?
Every few months, it, seems, the USS Liberty incident makes the rounds online again. Someone discovers it for the first time. Someone else insists Continue Reading
The Army Hasn’t Carried Out a Death Row Execution Since 1961. Maybe It Should.
The U.S. Army has quietly done something that most Americans probably didn't realize was necessary: it has updated its plans for carrying out military Continue Reading
Veterans: If You’re Not Changing It, You’re Choosing It
Military veterans have earned the right to complain about a lot of things. The VA can be a bureaucratic nightmare. Civilian employers often don't Continue Reading