First Things

They are experimenting with a more open blog format. There are alreaady multiple interesting, well-thought out, provocative posts. Be sure to scroll down to the discussion between Ross Douthat and Joseph Bottum on the justness of the Iraq war and Israel's incursions into Lebanon.

Also, note the reproduction of the short poem "The Catholic Sun," from Hilaire Belloc:

Wherever the Catholic sun doth shine,
There’s always laughter and good red wine.
At least I’ve always found it so.
Benedicamus Domino!

Belloc, you will recall, also gave us that catchy little anthem for late nineteenth century imperialism:

Whatever happens,
We have got:
The Maxim Gun
And they have not

These aren't "110 Love Pen"--what could be?--but Belloc is my kind of poet.