Tag Archives: Liberty

The Blind Traveler

Posted on December 26, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

About two-hundred years ago, during the golden age of the British Empire and exploration, there lived a man named James Holman. Holman was born into the new English merchant class; his father was a pharmacist. During those days, there were … Continue reading →

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Hotel Bolivia

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

There was likely no more dramatic place for Jews fleeing the holocaust to end up than Bolivia. But for a small group, that unlikely land is exactly where they found refuge from Hitler’s wickedness. The crevice in the high Andes … Continue reading →

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On Prophets and MISRULE

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

I have been feeling these days more often like my namesake, that grand Hebrew prophet of old seated atop a mountain decrying the wickedness around and imploring people to seek God. They never do, seek God. Wickedness is way too … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

On Rediscovering America

Posted on July 9, 2022 by Joel D. Hirst

I returned last year to the U.S. from living mostly overseas for a season, ending with the COVID explosion which seemed as good a time as any for a change. I was given what I assume was bad-faith guidance, “Go … Continue reading →

Posted in America | Tagged | 2 Comments

On Vargas Llosa and Writing

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Joel D. Hirst

What makes great writers great? I’ve often wondered that. I’ve stumbled across dusty stories once-translated and lost to time in the ancient bookstalls of Armenia that are breathtaking; then I try and re-read Hemingway every other year, realizing that life … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Liberty, Literature | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Not The Days of Revolution

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Joel D. Hirst

Don’t look now, but a quiet contentedness has settled upon the land. A Pax Americana might be upon us. It seems most Americans are pretty happy; 90% if you believe the polls. Certainly much of this has to do with … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Liberty, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

To Talk of Many Things… (Vol. #1 – Obstruction)

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

“The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax— Of cabbages—and kings— Each morning as the African mists release their hold on the stories-high trees just visible over the concertina-crowned walls of my … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Liberty, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Human Rights and the Discovery of Empathy

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Joel D. Hirst

In my first year of humanitarian work I was called on to help start up a program in Kosovo after the end of that bloody conflict. Ethnic cleansing they called it, genocide without the murder I suppose. I was 21 … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Liberty, philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 10 Comments

To Hate or to #WalkAway

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Joel D. Hirst

Our national discourse has become like that carnival which set up in an abandoned lot on California State Route 180 which we might have gone to as a child. Rising early, we are pushed into our clothes by our excited … Continue reading →

Posted in Liberty, philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Venezuela’s Zombie Election

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Joel D. Hirst

Two years ago I wrote about a suicide. A sad, bitter, rueful blog that went viral, capturing the desperation of a prescient people who saw clearly what was coming just over the horizon. The timeless tides creating currents that follow … Continue reading →

Posted in International Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments