Politics, Uncategorized

For Sale to the Right Owner

Bob Claude |

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement. and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship in a Republic, April 10 1910

Six years ago, I started this website to preserve the positive message of American nationalism in the face of the negativity of the first Trump Administration.   The goal was to save the nationalist cause from Trump’s bombastic, confrontational rhetoric and restore it as a unifying call for constructive permanent change. We supported President Trump’s policies when we agreed and did not hesitate to oppose him when they degenerated into corruption and globalism. We did the same during the Biden Administration, praising some policies while damning most others.

At the same time, Theodore Roosevelt’s words from his “Man in the Arena” speech haunted me. I dealt with TR’s challenge by setting the creation of a new progressive nationalist movement as the ultimate mission of the site. While I am grateful to the approximately 300 subscribers to the site on various platforms, this is far from the number needed to overcome the highly polarized politics of our time.

I firmly believe the problem is not the message, but the shortcomings of the messenger. This cause deserves the youthful energy of a Charlie Kirk and the social media savvy of a Joe Rogan. It deserves its own “man in the arena” fighting under the inspiration of TR’s New Nationalism.  Unfortunately, at almost 70 years of age, I lack the necessary energy, resources, and technical skills to achieve this.  Thus, I have decided to offer the site and its assets for sale or transfer, in the hope of finding a leader more capable of maximizing its true potential.

Any buyer must prepare to satisfy the following terms, in descending order of priority:

  • First and foremost, they must demonstrate a commitment to the ideology and unifying message of the site as expressed in our Mission Statement. No Internet troll or clickbait purveyor need apply.
  • They must have the will and resources to expand the subscriber base and reach of the site and the progressive nationalist movement, along with a plan to do so.
  • Next, while I would lose editorial control over the site, I would like to retain the right to continue submitting articles for publication.
  • Finally, I hope to recover some of my personal investment, both material and in effort, in creating and building the site.

The assets of New Nationalism currently consist of the website domain www.newnationalism.com , a Facebook page, a Substack page, and other intellectual property. I will be happy to itemize the assets for any serious purchasers. Any inquiries should be directed to the editor’s mailbox at editor@newnationalism.com .

Finally, to those who subscribed to any of these sites, I am grateful and humbled by the faith and commitment you have shown to me and our mission. I am not giving up the fight. I am simply looking for a new, more robust leader whom we all can support. The goal of this process is to give us the opportunity to participate in an exciting movement that can actually build a strong America and strengthen the American people. If I am unable to find someone who can fulfill this role, I will retain the site and continue the mission at a sustainable pace.  In the meantime, stay strong and God bless America!

Political Reform, Politics, Uncategorized

Happy 165th Birthday, Theodore Roosevelt!

Bob Claude |

Our country – this great republic- means nothing unless it means the triumph of a real democracy, the triumph of popular government, and, in the long run, of an economic system under which each man shall be guaranteed the opportunity to show the best that is in him. That is why the history of America is now the central feature of the history of the world: for the world has set its face hopefully toward our democracy; and, O my fellow citizens, each of you carries on your shoulders not only the burden of doing well for the sake for the sake of your own country, but the burden of doing well and of seeing that this great nation does well for the sake of mankind. Theodore Roosevelt, The New Nationalism

Theodore Roosevelt lived a life made for the cinema. He exhibited not only physical courage, but also an intellectual courage that met social and political crises similar to those of today. Acceding to the presidency after the politically motivated assassination of his predecessor, he challenged the elite of his day to address the inequities of his time threatening the American republic he so dearly loved.

Today we confront similar crises confronting the institutions that built this nation into an example for the entire world. Let us face them with TR’s optimism and his faith in this nation’s promise not only for its people but also for the world. Thank you for your example, Colonel, and rest in peace.

Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy, Immigration

Trump’s Two Front War

Bob Claude |

Military strategists have long warned about the risks of waging a two-front war. Nevertheless, President Trump intervened in Israel’s war on Iran while National Guard troops were deployed to quell resistance to immigration enforcement in California.  A prudent leader would resort to military force only after attempting to negotiate with an adversary possessing significant tools of resistance. Avoiding military force would be particularly advisable if the underlying policy enjoyed only tepid support at home. If negotiations still failed, threats of force would then be used, followed by the low-level exercises of force such as sanctions. Only when this failed would military force be used. 

The President arguably followed this path regarding Iran. Prior to Saturday’s attacks, the US and Iran were in active talks attempting to reach agreed-upon limits on Iran’s nuclear program. When this appeared to fail, the parties graduated to threats of force, which continued for several days. Sanctions had already been tried, and so the card of military force was played. The President appears to have successfully negotiated a ceasefire in the Iranian conflict. However, the uncertainty over the success of the bombing campaign means the temptation of “mission creep” and the risk of escalation to further military action remains.  

At the time, the President was already in a low-level military conflict here at home with Los Angeles and California about the enforcement of federal immigration law. Instead of following the traditional escalation protocol, Trump immediately turned to military force despite only tepid support for the intervention at home. There is another path he could have taken that might have avoided a military confrontation and achieved a lasting solution to the immigration issue.  

The administration should have first proposed a comprehensive immigration bill tightening enforcement and significantly reducing immigration levels. The legislation could have accomplished the goal of discouraging the employment of illegal immigrants and incentivizing self-deportation through  

  • A 10% employer tax on the salaries of an employer’s illegal immigrant employees. 
  • A requirement that those employers purchase insurance protecting third parties from injuries or damages by their immigrant employees. It would also reimburse government agencies for any welfare payments to those employees.  
  • A prohibition against refugees seeking permanent immigration status until they first return to their native countries.  

Employers would be forced to decide if these increased costs and risks would be worse than hiring American citizens. It would also finally force the real debate on our immigration policy that the nation has avoided for decades.  

What if globalists did not take this deal? Then, sanctions would be the next step, and Trump has a peaceful but big stick in his arsenal. He can announce that the US cannot host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles because California’s resistance to federal authority may result in an internal military conflict and, as a result, we cannot guarantee the security of the games. This risk in such a threat would hopefully prompt globalist immigration enthusiasts to agree on reforms that reflect today’s world and establish an effective enforcement process.  If not, the President should make good on the threat.   

Partisans on both sides of the immigration debate will condemn this strategy. However, it recognizes that each side has economic and legal leverage. Admittedly divisive in tactics, it is potentially unifying in strategy by creating a road to a permanent resolution that gives American citizens hope and the peace of a better life. It is this objective, not regime change overseas, that should be the most crucial goal of the Trump Administration.  The risks are certainly worth the reward.