Presidential scholar Michael P. Riccards writes that the real purpose of classifying materials is not to safeguard secrets from our foes but from ourselves.
Michael Riccards
A synod reveals concern about lack of social bonds among parishioners
By Michael P. Riccards Pope Francis has convened a papal synod in Rome, and as preparation, he has taken the extraordinary step of asking dioceses to hold listening sessions on the parish levels, and then the information will go to the bishops and… Read More ›
Presidents and the media
By Michael P. Riccards It has been said that Thomas Jefferson once observed that if he had a choice between a free government and a free press, he would choose the latter. After eight tumultuous years as president, he changed… Read More ›
The Pope and the new synod process
By Michael P. Riccards Pope Francis has begun the synod process by insisting that there be a listening exercise from the bottom up so each diocese and probably each mature parish will have focus groups to talk about the church and… Read More ›
On President’s Day, a few suggestions for a better way to honor the nation’s chief executives
By Michael P. Riccards Monday is a national holiday unless you are in the retail business. If you sell cars or mattresses or furniture, then you can celebrate the day but still work. Somehow in the 1960s, there was an impetus… Read More ›
A Frightful Anniversary
By Michael P. Riccards The United States has had some great men as presidents, ones who have saved the union and also western democracy. And it has had some mediocre ones who were unable to face the challenges of office…. Read More ›
Election Day 2021: A Simple Revulsion of the Democratic Party
By Michael P. Riccards. Although the media and the professional talking heads are commenting about the gubernatorial race in Virginia, there was a more important one in New Jersey. Sitting in my catbird seat in central Jersey, I can say that… Read More ›
Presidents Day: More Than an Opportunity to Sell Cars, Clothing and Electronics
By Michael P. Riccards When I was a boy, we had off Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday, and the media each year featured stories on each of these great men. Now we have combined the two days into Presidents Day… Read More ›
We must lay before the world that we remain a people of law
By Michael P. Riccards My late mother had a cousin who lost his life on Iwo Jima during the second world war. He was 20 and probably never had a sweetheart My sister insisted we find where he was buried…. Read More ›
No need to prolong a long national nightmare of recrimination
By Michael P. Riccards It will end as it began with agony and patriotic excess. It is true that in the last year the president and his enablers have shown a deep disregard for constitutional government. Now we are facing… Read More ›
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