“Laissez faire has never been more than a slogan in defense of the proposition that every extension of state activity should be examined under a presumption of error.”

Aaron Director, quoted by Robert Bork in The Tempting of America

In my contribution to the National Post’s 20th anniversary section, I celebrate the freedom the paper has given its writers to express conservative opinions and respect the intelligence of our readers.

“It is a pleasant and consoling thought to think that our posterity will find sufficient entertainment in the contemplation of the enormous blunders that you are making at this moment. That will be a continuous source of laughter and joy to them.”

G.K. Chesterton in “Culture and the Coming Peril” in Gilbert Magazine Vol. 8 #5 (March-April 2005)

In my latest National Post column I celebrate Meghan Markle’s pregnancy as the sort of happy thing we need more of in the world, our lives and the newspapers.

“It is a sign of sharp sickness in a society when it is actually led by some special sort of lunatic.”

G.K. Chesterton in "The Miser and His Friends" in Alberto Manguel, ed., On Lying in Bed, and Other Essays (emailed by a friend)

In my latest National Post column I say the first step toward an effective foreign policy is to abandon illusions about the effectiveness of “soft power” without something hard behind it.