“Between myth and history.”
Our 21st century passage.
In mid-December, on a cold, rainy evening in Washington, I spoke to the Committee for the Republic, an interesting group of constitutionalists dedicated in large measure to restoring the rule of law to our institutions of government, notably the War Powers Act, and abolishing the imperial presidency that has led Americans into so much trouble during the postwar decades. Congress, as Committee chair John Henry points out, has not declared a single one of the numerous wars America has waged since 1945.
I was honored to receive John’s invitation to speak. I have had an interest in the Committee for some years, not only for its principles and positions, but because it is studiously nonpartisan—a point that matters greatly to me in that I take absolutely zero interest in the parties that preside over our national politics. Mailer’s noted description of himself—”left conservative”—comes ever more to mind these days.
I offer readers of The Scrum a video recording of my remarks, delivered at the Metropolitan Club on 15 December. John extended his invitation after reading Time No Longer: Americans After the American Century, my most recent book. The speech, which John took the liberty of renaming “Beyond a Failed Narrative,” reflects this. It is 20-odd minutes long; the rest of the hour and some recorded is taken up with a lively Q & A.
Scheerpost has kindly published the text of the speech, and this can be found here.
— P. L.
