April 19, 2026

I never dared be radical when young
For fear it would make me conservative when old.

Robert Frost, (1874-1963), American poet, ‘Desert Places’ 1936, Jay p. 144

MEDITATION: Is radicalism natural to the young? Is conservatism natural to the old? If so, how do you account for staunch conservatives (such as William Pitt the Younger—a Tory—repeat a Tory—and prime minister of Britain, at age 24!). And what about aging radicals (like U. S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who will be 85 this year)?

COMMENTARY: Despite those exceptions, it is the hormones driving teenage rebellion that make radical politics possible.  Conversely, the passion to keep everything in is its proper place—a phenomenon of one’s senior years—reflects the wish that nothing will change.

But death still comes for the archbishop…