We’re at the middle of the week and it’s already exhausting. Our family has so far survived a scary septic tank situation, so we’re grateful to be halfway to the weekend.
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In any event, it looks like we’re in a quiet period as we await Congress’ action on COVID relief and next week’s impeachment trial.
Here’s some news in the meantime.
You may have heard some news about the city of San Francisco renaming schools. As it’s San Francisco, you know there are no schools named for Confederate generals, but the schools in question here are named for men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. If that sounds over the top, it’s because it is. Cathy Young has some thoughts here.
Given the range of conspiracy theories that have made the rounds on cable news the last few months, there have been renewed calls to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. The historian Paul Matzko, who wrote a book on the subject, argues at the Dispatch that a reinstatement of the doctrine would be a very bad idea.
Let me close out with a piece at the Bulwark by my friend Brent Orrell that looks at the status of both the Trump and Biden administrations in regards to COVID-19. Many conservatives, even those who were largely in the anti-Trump camp, have defended the Trump administration against criticism from the Biden team. But as Orrell notes, much of the Trump response to COVID-19 was erratic and disjointed, likely costing many lives and also throwing a wrench in the nation’s long-term plans. Worth a read to see where we are, and how we got here.
Lastly, if you’ll indulge me, I was happy to talk with Reckon South about the condition of conservatism in the South. Lots to chew on here, and I’ll keep unpacking this as we go along. If I could amend anything, it might be that I’m less confident that younger conservatives will choose the more thoughtful path, but time will tell.
Thanks for reading - we’ll back on Friday.