I share Hanson’s despair

rome burns

Reader CT Tempest urges us to read historian Victor Davis Hanson’s latest essay, “How Much Ruin Do We Have Left?” and I almost wish he hadn’t.

Friends and enemies abroad are becoming variously shocked, disheartened—and gleeful—as the United States cannibalizes itself.

Every institution: family, church, education, military, Congress, is being destroyed; in fact, even the concept of our republic itself is going, and I, at least, see no hope. Not every experiment succeeds, and even those that do can have a limited shelf-life. The Great American Experiment is ending, and much faster than even this pessimist had expected.

I’ve regretted that my girls weren't bringing me grandchildren; now, part of me is relieved that there won’t be another generation to suffer through the coming disaster, the other part wishes the Fountains would be around to fight in another revolution.

Circling back: it occurs to me that, at the pace things are proceeding, I might be around to honor my ancestors and extend the family tradition at least through my own generation.