This is a placeholder for people looking for a post on the “Church of the Founding Fathers” and the American National Religion.  Post is forthcoming.

From CNN:
“Reagan had an immense faith in the power of ideas. But there has been a counter, more populist tradition, which is not only to scorn liberal ideas but to scorn ideas entirely.”
I think this is one of the best descriptions of the current state of the Republican Party (and it is by a conservative commenter, in case you’re not inclined to read the article).  People who vote GOP and hail Reagan as their standard-bearer often are wildly off history when it comes to what it is they vote for.  …

You’ve read about my interest in Ancient History, specifically that of the Mediterranean.  I’ve also commented on the parallels between us and the Roman Empire.  While I still have plenty to say on that subject, this article raises the more appropriate, telling, and embarrassing question: Are we France?
TIME – How we became the United States of France