Dissatisfaction with Pope Francis
Almost immediately after my essay “Pope Francis’ Support of Protests” was published, I received four interesting comments: Arthur began by [...]
Pope Francis’ Support of Protests
On the day before Palm Sunday 2018, young people in the U.S. participated in a march in favor of gun [...]
The Blessings of Lent
All Christians know the story of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection by heart. They know, as well, the incomparable blessing [...]
The Latest Schoolhouse Absurdity
I recently wrote, “Contemporary discussion of social issues is filled with overgeneralization, oversimplification, selective reporting of facts, and appeals to [...]
“Dilly Dilly,” More Than Silly
“Dilly Dilly” is certainly silly. A medieval king demanding that his subjects pay homage with cases of Bud Light, leading [...]
The Morality of Giving Sanctuary
Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf is a prominent member of the movement to resist the deportation of illegal immigrants. She not [...]
The Roots of Mass Murder
Since the beginning of this century, 36 mass shootings in 22 states have claimed the lives of 388 people. Although this [...]
Egotism and the Abuse of Discourse
NBA stars Lebron James and Kevin Durant did an ESPN podcast. James opined that Trump “doesn’t understand the people and [...]
Nancy Reagan, Nike, and American Culture
What could these three possibly have in common? In 1986 Reagan offered a message of restraint—“Just say no”—recalling a moral [...]
A Different View of Catholic Renewal
My recent essay on the Dynamic Catholic movement ended by suggesting that, though its contribution to Catholic renewal is worthwhile, [...]
“Are You a Dynamic Catholic?”
This question is being asked in parishes across the country, as a result of the efforts of Matthew Kelly and [...]
About President Trump’s Tweets
Donald Trump’s tweets have been in the news since long before he ran for the presidency, and they have been [...]
Death by a Thousand Slurs
This has been the mainstream media’s intention from the Republican primary, through the presidential campaign, and throughout Donald Trump’s first [...]
A Different New Year’s Resolution
Common New Year’s resolutions involve quitting something such as smoking or drinking, eating too much, being too sedentary, being rude [...]
Our Perception of Social Problems
I recently read a description of troubling social problems, in particular increasing violence and the decline of moral standards. It [...]
Why I’m Suspicious of Polls
It’s not that pollsters are dishonest, though some may be. Nor is it that the people polled give answers they [...]
The Alabama Republicans’ Dilemma
The special election in Alabama is over, with Democrat Doug Jones having defeated Republican Roy Moore, but the dilemma faced [...]
A Teaching Moment Missed, Part II
Part I told the (true) story of Daniel, a high school junior whose correct answer to a test question was [...]
A Teaching Moment Missed, Part I
Daniel is an 11th grade student who takes Advanced Placement courses in history, physics, English, calculus, and social studies and [...]
An Honest Conversation About Gun Control
I’d love to have an honest conversation with a liberal about gun control, but the truth is, the liberals I [...]
Education’s Failing Grade
In 2016, Minneapolis scholar Katherine Kersten reported that public schools were the most dangerous places in St. Paul, MN. The [...]
Why Such Divisiveness?
We hear much lamentation about “divisiveness” today and the cause is generally identified as one political party or both. But [...]
The Tragedy of Suicide
Whenever a suicide occurs, those who knew the person are usually shocked, grief-stricken, and confused. “Why did he (she) make [...]
The Challenge of Being a Priest
Being a priest bestows the incomparable honor of changing bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, as [...]
When Prayer Becomes Propaganda
At first glance, the prayer that Father James Martin, S.J. recently published in America, the magazine he edits, seems a heartfelt [...]
Author Vincent Ryan Ruggiero
Since retiring from teaching, I have continued my work in promoting sound thinking in education and in the general culture. More specifically, I have kept refining my textbooks, four of which have been continuously in print for an average of 33 years. I have also continued to write books for the general public, the latest of which is Corrupted Culture: Rediscovering America’s Enduring Principles, Values, and Common Sense, and I write a weekly column for an online journal.