BLUF:[Townhall] This indulgence of the self leads nowhere good. As Goethe observed, "All eras in a state of decline and dissolution are subjective; on the other hand, all progressive eras have an objective tendency." A nation cannot long endure when "every man [does] what is right in his own eyes." When truth and virtue become subject to "what works for me," societal decline cannot but follow.
Americans tend to take their future prosperity for granted, believing that the United States will reign as the world’s greatest power for many decades to come. But superpowers have fallen before. And not necessarily because of war. Internal rot has just as often been the culprit. Should we not worry?
On this 75th anniversary of "Casablanca," let us emulate Rick Blaine. Let us once again commit ourselves to the pursuit of honor and virtue. Let us aim to oblige, not ourselves, but the right and the good ‐ no matter the cost.