Category: World

The Decline of Civilization

I got a haircut the other day, and the stylist was lamenting the downfall of civilization at the hands of such computer games as Grand Theft Auto. I gently said “there are other driving games”, but statistics didn’t seem to be her strong point.

It’s a fashionable topic, but as David Brooks points out, the trends are (at least south of the border) towards a better society:

Since the early 1990’s, domestic violence has dropped by more than half. Violent crime is down 55%. Drunk driving has declined 38%. Teenage pregnancy is down 28%. Divorce rates are declining. Child poverty is down. Elementary test scores are up.

Seems a cause for celebration and encouragement rather than gloom and doom.

(Hat tip: Instapundit)

Glory, glory

I’ve been behind on blogging lately; real life has been interfering in an entirely delightful manner.

But just to let you know I’m not quite dead yet, a couple of links:

Fouad Ajami writes in the Wall Street Journal: To venture into the Arab world, as I did recently over four weeks in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq, is to travel into Bush Country.

The Bush Doctrine is working. The dominoes are falling. Right now the Lebanese are eagerly anticipating their first real election in twenty years.

And Chrenkoff’s latest Good News from Iraq made me cry, as usual. In the face of renewed terror attacks, much good is being accomplished.

Requiescat in Pacem

Karol Józef Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II, passed away today.

One of the greatest figures of our time, he was instrumental in the downfall of Communism. He did more than any other in recent history to reform the Roman Church’s position in modern life, while standing firm against the erosion of values. His catechism and numerous other publications clarified and organized the doctrine and positions of the Church which had been in some confusion since Vatican II.

His grasp of language and his many travels brought encouragement and inspiration to multitudes around the world. His rapprochement with the Lutheran and Orthodox Churches, and with the Jewish faith, are an example to us all.

So even though I am not a member of the Roman Church, I honor his memory.