by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 26, 2003

In many Catholic colleges of yesterday, students had to take 24 course hours of philosophy as a condition of graduation. At the core of the philosophy curriculum was Natural Law, and at the heart of Natural Law was the idea that men, through reason, could come to know how to lead a moral life.

Not only could one reason to the existence of God, one could discern His laws for men. And those laws, once discovered, would be found consistent with Catholic teaching and moral doctrine.

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 24, 2003

“‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world,” wrote Washington to his countrymen in his Farewell Address.

Aware that it was the alliance with France in 1778 that saved our Revolution, Washington did not oppose all alliances, just permanent ones. Jefferson, too, warned against “entangling alliances.”

We are today relearning the lessons our Fathers taught us.

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 19, 2003

Had President Bush never used all that barstool bellicosity about an Axis of Evil, “pre-emptive strike,” “regime change” and “weeks, not months,” he could now claim victory in his showdown with Saddam.

For it is only through Bush’s resolute leadership that U.N. arms inspectors are back in Iraq. With steady pressure, Bush could have hundreds more swarming all over that country, to where it would be inconceivable that Saddam could mount an assault on his neighbors.

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 17, 2003

“May your enemies live in interesting times,” runs the old Chinese saying. Our times become more interesting by the day.

On the South Capitol Street Bridge here sits an Avenger anti-aircraft missile battery prepared to shoot down any private plane or commercial airliner that appears about to crash into the Capitol.

Area residents are being urged to buy three days of dry food and bottled water, and duct tape to seal off one room, to survive a chemical, biological or radiological (”dirty bomb”) attack on D.C.

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 12, 2003

“How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris?”

“Nobody knows – because it’s never been done yet.”

That joke was making the rounds at a political conference in Washington this weekend. It is a cruel and unjust jest. As Margaret Macmillan writes, in Paris 1919, 1.3 million Frenchmen – one out of every four between 18 and 30 – died in the Great War (1914-1918), and twice as many were wounded fighting successfully to defend Paris.

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 10, 2003

In his 90-minute presentation to the Security Council, Colin Powell made a compelling case for the prosecution that Iraq is not cooperating fully and freely in its own disarmament. Clearly, Saddam is concealing weapons he is forbidden by U.N. resolutions to possess.

On this count, Saddam appears guilty as charged. But this is not the question we Americans must answer.

For us, the question is this: Why are we going to war? Why are we about to attack, invade and occupy a country that has not attacked us, does not threaten us and does not want war with us?

by Patrick J. Buchanan – February 5, 2003

Is Kim Jong Il seeking a showdown with the U.S. president who told the world he personally “loathes” the North Korean ruler?

Does Kim intend to force Bush into a humiliating retreat from the vaunted Bush Doctrine of “pre-emptive strike,” as Khrushchev was forced to publicly retreat in the Cuban missile crisis?

What other explanation is there for Kim’s brinkmanship?

Patrick J. Buchanan – February 3, 2003

Rarely do wars, once begun, work out as anticipated.

As 1898 began, William McKinley could not have dreamed the year would end with America annexing the Philippines. Yet by December, the United States, having routed Spain, had launched a three-year war to crush Filipino resistance to U.S. imperial rule.

By 1900, with his “Open Door” policy, McKinley had embroiled us for a century in the politics of Asia. All this came as the consequence of a war begun because a U.S. battleship blew up in Havana harbor, almost certainly an accident for which Spain bore no responsibility.