"Between myth and history."
Our 21st century passage.
In mid-December, on a cold, rainy evening in Washington, I spoke to the Committee for the Republic, an interesting group of constitutionalists dedicated in large measure to restoring the rule of law to our institutions of government, notably the War Powers Act, and abolishing the imperial presidency that has led Americans into so much trouble during the postwar decades. Congress, as Committee chair John Henry points out, has not declared a single one of the numerous wars America has waged since 1945.
I was honored to receive John’s invitation to speak. I have had an interest in the Committee for some years, not only for its principles and positions, but because it is studiously nonpartisan—a point that matters greatly to me in that I take absolutely zero interest in the parties that preside over our national politics. Mailer’s noted description of himself—”left conservative”—comes ever more to mind these days.
I offer readers of The Scrum a video recording of my remarks, delivered at the Metropolitan Club on 15 December. John extended his invitation after reading Time No Longer: Americans After the American Century, my most recent book. The speech, which John took the liberty of renaming “Beyond a Failed Narrative,” reflects this. It is 20-odd minutes long; the rest of the hour and some recorded is taken up with a lively Q & A.
Scheerpost has kindly published the text of the speech, and this can be found here.
— P. L.
Great respect for your work Patrick.
Good to see a room of Americans thinking about how to transform America - necessary for America’s sake but more so for sake of the rest of the planet.
I also have great respect for Patrick and his invaluable insight, honest and journalistic integrity, something lacking in big corporate media outlets.
It was an unusual lecture and interview, and I thought Patrick answered the questions from the audience well, especially the woman from Ireland, which was a rather long winded narrative, and not a question or two, but methinks tried to throw Mr. Lawrence a curve ball which was nowhere over the home plate, and in my opinion, was a form of what in the Army we called "sharpshooting," meaning someone in the class who tries to sound smarter or more informed on the subject matter than the instructor, gaining points with fellow soldiers. Patrick, I believe saw through this and answered very well.
There is every indication the US and the vassal states in Europe, subservient to American threats of sanctions and all have given up their sovereign jurisdiction as independent nations and are willing to risk nuclear annihilation at the behest of Uncle Sam. Shame on them!
Thank you Mr. Larwrence!