'They inspire in us both a sense of awe and an acute sense of loss'
Opinion, comment and editorials of the day


'What explains the genius of the American founders?'
Gordon S. Wood at The Washington Post
Americans are "bound to look back at the Founding Fathers" with "somewhat different feelings from those we formerly had," says Gordon S. Wood. Historians "diminish them, seeing them as seriously flawed in matters of race, social equality and the role of women." They "did think of themselves as aristocrats," but "when we set aside our present-minded criticism of the Founders' backwardness, it is difficult to deny the originality of their thought and the creativity of their politics."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'I wasn't allowed a smartphone until I was 16. I can't thank my parents enough.'
Christine Schueckler at USA Today
Deleting Instagram was a "great choice. I don't miss it," says Christine Schueckler. Her generation is the "first to grow up alongside the digital world, which has stunted us in undeniable ways." Did Schueckler "sometimes feel left out because I wasn't 'plugged in' to the internet as a child and adolescent? Of course." But "I credit my parents' rules and guidelines for proper internet use with my positive relationship with the internet today."
'Supreme Court immunity ruling means more than a delay of the Trump trial. It could make future despots untouchable.'
The Boston Globe editorial board
The Supreme Court's immunity ruling on Donald Trump also gives future presidents "who seek to abuse the office of the presidency for their own benefit, a road map of how to do so," says The Boston Globe editorial board. The ruling "not only places a firm thumb on the scales of justice in Trump's favor but also turns the office of the presidency into a virtual haven for future despots," and its danger is "staring us in the face."
'Pat Tillman will be turning in his grave as royal traitor Harry is honored in his name'
Piers Morgan at the New York Post
Pat Tillman is "an American hero," while Prince Harry is a "man who gave up serving his country to serve himself," says Piers Morgan. But Harry has "inexplicably been chosen to be this year's recipient of the annual memorial award established in Pat Tillman's name for service." But the "notion that he in any way 'echoes the legacy' of Pat Tillman is a sick joke," and it's "hard to think of anyone less suited."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Elon Musk says he's 'done enough' political spending. What does that really mean?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The world's richest man predicted he'd do 'a lot less' electoral financing moving forward. Has Washington seen the last of the tech titan?
-
'Organ donation is kindness'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'These businesses have appealed to generations'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
'The national appetite has been waning'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
The military: Hegseth's escalating culture war
Feature The Pentagon is ordering military academies to purge their libraries of books on race, gender, and discrimination
-
A running list of Trump's conflicts of interest
In Depth A potential Qatari plane is the latest in a series of problematic connections
-
Democrats grapple with Biden cover-up fallout ahead of 2028
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Even before his cancer diagnosis, Dems have been grappling with whether the White House's alleged effort to hide Biden's failing health is worth relitigating
-
'The more complex question of why remains'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day