"The first impression that one gets of a ruler and of his brains is from seeing the men that he has about him."

Machiavelli, quoted in Dan Rather The Palace Guard

In my latest National Post column I wish news stories would more often refer to government spending being cut, especially by contrast with the lurid and generally inaccurate "slashed".

Jesse Brown of Canadaland just posted an interview with me about The Rebel, Charlottesville and the state of public debate more generally. He and I certainly don't see eye to eye on a lot of things so I appreciate the opportunity to have a civil discussion about our disagreements instead of the sort of shouting match that too often erupts nowadays.

In my latest National Post column I say compassionate, intelligent, constructive discussion of Confederate monuments must begin with forthright recognition that they celebrate racial slavery and bigotry.

In my latest National Post column I say departing Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall was a good man but not a great conservative.

“in all their actions all men do in fact aim at what they think good.”

Aristotle The Politics

"You couldn’t get me there with a box of candy or a ton of dynamite."

Then-premier of Saskatchewan Roy Romanow on running for federal office, quoted in Maclean’s June 12, 1995

"The ruling class of the eighteenth century were coarse and corrupt, but they were capable and courageous. They made great blunders, they were blind and indifferent to great evils, but they weathered terrible storms."

Sir C.P. Ilbert Parliament