John David Lewis's Articles
Politics & Rights
Open Letter to Republicans
John David Lewis December 4, 2006
There are two things that all Republicans know today: that you lost the mid-term election, and that the loss was a repudiation of President Bush's policies. What you must now figure out is why. Why did Americans vote as they did? What specific policies did they reject? The answer you…
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
“No Substitute for Victory”: The Defeat of Islamic Totalitarianism
John David Lewis November 20, 2006
Consults historical precedent to evaluate America’s response to the attacks of 9/11. Considering key historical attacks against America, along with her responses to those attacks, Lewis highlights the moral and practical issues involved, and draws vital lessons that Americans must grasp and apply in the current war—if we want to win it.
Politics & Rights
Evil, and Uncorrectable
John David Lewis November 6, 2006
One argument made for a Republican vote in this election—and the support it will bring to President Bush—is that Bush has the right foreign policy aims in mind; he errs only in their pursuit. If we would just give him the support he needs, he will correct his errors—thus speak…
History, Politics & Rights
Why I Will Not Vote for Any Republican
John David Lewis October 29, 2006
In the upcoming election, I will not vote for any Republican. My reasons are based on those offered by philosopher Leonard Peikoff, and I agree with him completely. A straight Democratic vote in this election is the only rational choice I can make. I would not, however, vote Republican today…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
The Military Doctrine of Altruism
John David Lewis October 16, 2006
It is altruism that subjects our military to the slow bleed of dead and maimed soldiers in order to avoid confronting an enemy leader or hurting a shopkeeper. It is altruism that tells our soldiers to build toilets for a hostile population rather than to defeat the deadly enemy.
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Dhimmitude Taking Root
John David Lewis October 3, 2006
USA Today 9/18/06 reports that Muslim cab drivers at Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport are refusing to carry passengers with alcohol—even an unopened bottle of wine—due to their religious beliefs. Drivers are mad because refusing a fare causes them to be sent to the end of the line, and a wait of…
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
On a Deluded America
John David Lewis June 28, 2006
Diana West has written a fiery op-ed that, on its face, seems to provide a well-needed antidote to the moral platitudes that are preventing America from ridding the world of savage brutes ("Deluded America," Washington Times, June 23, 2006). Certainly the defenders of America will be energized to read: If…
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Terrorism and the Koran
John David Lewis June 11, 2006
Many people in the West maintain that the Koran is opposed to terrorism: the initiation of violence against unarmed civilians to incite terror for a political cause. To many westerners, Bin Laden, et al are motivated by a totalitarian political ideology, not by Islam, and are "hijackers" of Islam, not…
History, Philosophy
Notes on the Near Eastern Legacy of Islam
John David Lewis May 27, 2006
I just finished teaching an undergraduate university class on the Ancient Near East: 15 weeks on Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. I read as many original documents and modern histories—and looked at as much art—as I had time to do. I became intrigued by the many parallels between radical Islam and…
Philosophy
Theocracy and Precedent
John David Lewis May 26, 2006
Here are excerpts from the expatriate Iranian satirist Ibrahim Nabavi's open letter to President Ahmadinejad, in the online Persian daily Rooz: . . . Oh adorable little boy who makes noise and needs attention! . . . you had written to [President] Bush to present a solution to the problems…
History, Politics & Rights
The Society for Military History: A Report from the Front
John David Lewis May 24, 2006
I just returned from the national conference of the Society for Military History (SMH), held at Kansas State University. I presented a paper on the military campaigns of the Roman Emperor Aurelian, arguing that his use of overwhelming force had resulted in a bloodless collapse of two major threats to…
History, Politics & Rights
William Tecumseh Sherman and the Moral Impetus for Victory
John David Lewis May 20, 2006
Presents the essential history of Sherman’s march, showing how Sherman developed and implemented his ideas that lead to the North’s victory in the Civil War, and drawing the moral lessons we can learn from this great man about how to properly approach and quickly defeat enemies of freedom.
Economics, Politics & Rights
The Little Dictators
John David Lewis May 15, 2006
America is the land in which productive individuals were largely set free of the coercive power of the government. The result was the most prosperous nation the world has ever seen. But, over the past two generations, our freedom has been subordinated, in myriad ways, to the "Little Dictators" among…
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Tribute to Iran
John David Lewis May 12, 2006
The High Muckety-Muck (HMM) of Iran sent President Bush an 18 page letter this week, doubtless with very tiny writing, in which he wrote: Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can…
Arts & Culture
'Flight 93'
John David Lewis May 11, 2006
On May 1, writer Tom Miller reviewed the film "Flight 93" for Military.com. http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,95869,00.html?ESRC=dod.nl Miller is a novelist, and a former history professor, Army officer, and Vietnam veteran. His review is less of the film than of the need to remember why it needed to be made: [I]f people need…