Jack Fowler
Jack Fowler is the vice president of National Review.
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Dear Jolter, It may be the color of our carpet (so do take off your shoes, Mr. Bialystock!), but this fortnight it is also the color (is white a color?) of the cover of the new issue of National Review ... -
Crisis Day
The agony of the wait for our pal David Bahnsen is over: Today is the official publication day for his new book, Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It. Go ahead and click ... -
Oooo, What’s This Thing Called, Love?
Dear Jolters, Well, that is one lame-o card. The implication at the get-go is this text will rhyme: Maybe somewhere “hope” and “joke” do, but not in The Bronx. No rhyme and no rhythm either. And whoever proofread this needs ... -
As with Gladness Men of Old
Dear Jolters, I thank the Lord above for the distraction of baseball-reference.com. My second home (NRO is the first), it is always there awaiting us nerds, offering statistical relief from political and cultural hooplas, providing a wormhole to ye ... -
Rush Hour in Palm Beach
Actually, it will be 50 minutes. On Tuesday, February 6, Mr. Limbaugh will leave his gold microphone at EIB HQ to join Andrew McCarthy for a discussion of the state of the First Amendment — that and more, and others, all part of ... -
Felzenberg to Talk Buckley in Florida
Our pal Al Felzenberg, author of the acclaimed biography, A Man and His Presidents: The Political Odyssey of William F. Buckley Jr, will be talking about our founder this Monday, January 15, at 2:30 p.m. at The Society of the Four ... -
He Could Dance the Pants Off of Churchill
Dear Friend, I’ve been a Churchill lover from the days of youth in The Bronx spent watching reruns of Mike Wallace’s old Biography show on WPIX. Here was the century’s hero — and he was half-American! And the ... -
This Is Urgent
In the past, when soliciting your help, NR was fixated on . . . despair. I should know — I was (and remain) the biggest despair-er. So the prose would be honest but along these lines — thank God I have a big nose, because ... -
The Nightmare Sugarplum
Dear Weekend Jolter, I write this on Thursday. You get this on Christmas Eve Eve. Who knows how many popes and presidents will be born in the intervening days? So you’ll forgive if this epistle proves untimely or insufficient. ... -
Yeah, That Just Might Put Your Eye Out
Dear Jolter, I’m going to multi-task this salutation. I’ve said “Dear,” so the salutating is done. Next comes bald-faced merchandising (before I tempt you with NR editorial goodies). Here goes: You surely have a special conservative someone in ... -
The Song Not on Al Franken’s iPod
Dear Jolter, Welcome to the final day of a wild week, one of the highlights of which was the resignation of Senator Al Franken (D, Minnegroper). His so-long-suckers statement from the Senate floor found no inspiration in Brenda Lee’s ... -
A Word on the Joint Committee on Taxation
While not taking issue with my colleague RVB, it’s worth noting that the Hell-breaking comes because the Joint Committee on Taxation (whose chief is a long-time Democratic staffer, Thomas Barthold) has thundered. The Great Oz has spoken? But maybe ... -
NR Institute Seeking Regional Fellows in New York, D.C., and Philadelphia
National Review Institute is seeking applicants for the Spring 2018 session of its popular Regional Fellows Program in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. The ideal applicant will be a mid-career professional, working in a non-policy professional setting. Past Fellows ... -
The Gipper, Talking Turkey
The offices of National Review are closed today in honor of Thanksgiving. We wish you and yours copious and enjoyable meals, the company of loved ones, a nap, and time to reflect on the blessings of Liberty. We also offer ... -
These Bills Are Outstanding
By my calculation, this is Day 33 of our #30DaysHathBucktember webathon. Well, I was never good with calendars. But I am solid with this: Sunday, November 19, at 11:59 p.m., marks the end of this effort. Let’s get the linkage done ... -
It’s the Plumber, I’ve Come to Fix the Sink
Dear Weekend Jolters, I’ve told this before to some but here we go again: Back when I was NR’s Publisher, my son — then five or six and wondering why Mr. Munroe, ace plumber, had come one afternoon to ... -
He Was a Happy Man, But . . .
He did worry about NR. Yep. No, not despair — never despair. That being a sin. But there was a less-than-theological reason for Bill’s refusal to despair: It was that he knew that National Review subscribers believed they were part ... -
Find It in Your Heart to Help
NR’s Fall Webathon heads for the home stretch. We’ve quite (quite!) a ways to go to reach our $200,000 goal. We need you – yes, you – to help. Today, on the home page, Rich Lowry explains why (and if you’... -
Why I Love Kirby Wilbur
The great host of KVI-AM in Seattle just kicked in, as he always does, some very righteous bucks towards our 2017 Fall webathon, now in the third week of its #30DaysHathBucktember effort to raise $200,000. About the effort: A freshly minted appeal ... -
Oh Sister!
In response to an email solicitation seeking support for our #30DaysHathBucktember 2017 Fall webathon, to which you can and should donate here, came this missive, sent to one of those maybe-not-patrolled email addresses (in this case, it was) that proves one ... -
As the New Week Emerges . . .
. . . please consider making a donation to NR’s 2017 Fall webathon. Many hundreds have, but the truth is — we need a couple of thousand in toto to even approach our goal, which is $200,000. Of course, the reason for that goal is ... -
Andy McCarthy Is Coming to Wisconsin
And you’ll want to meet him. So here are the particulars: On Wednesday, November 8, NRI’s acclaimed senior fellow will be appearing at Wisconsin Lutheran College to participate in a panel session discussing “the most pressing public policy questions ... -
Many Thanks Weekend Webathoners
A big fat grazia to those who found time this weekend to respond to NRO’s Fall 2017 Webathon, in which we are seeking to raise $200,000 to support these efforts: Hiring a tech guru for NRO’s burgeoning podcast operation, Obtaining ... -
‘To counter the crazy and keep Kat in earrings!’
The NRO 2017 Fall webathon proceeds, energized by a savvy appeal from Kat Timpf. Seeing that, hearing her cry – “Let’s not let the loons take away our culture — or my favorite earrings” (to decipher, you must read Kat herself) – one ... -
Webathon Update
We appreciate those of you who have stepped up to make a generous donation for the NRO 2017 Fall Webathon. On this Seventh Day of Bucktember, as we note our #30DaysHathBucktember effort, we feature yet another WFB photo, just for heck’... -
Helen DeVos, RIP
Approximately a year ago, I had the honor to offer a eulogy to Lee Hanley, a conservative philanthropist who left a mark on behalf of freedom and Christian values due to decades of wisdom, leadership, involvement, and selfless generosity. I’... -
Freedom Partners All in against Corporate Welfare
Here’s the commercial FP is airing as part of the tax-reform fight: -
This Harvey Ain’t No 6-Foot-3 Rabbit
Dear Weekend Jolter, Technically, as Elwood P. Dowd would note, 6 foot 3 and one-half inches. We have moved NR HQ, successfully — kudos to Lindsay, Jim, Aaron, Russ and all others who QB’d the undertaking. As for Your Humble Correspondent, I ... -
Incredibly Moving Experience
Dear Weekend Jolters, The week past has been colored darkly by an act of evil in Las Vegas. So the author of this epistle is in no mood to make light. Also, we are moving, and steeped in melancholy. NR ... -
Moving Sale: Make with Unmaking
We’ve got 11 copies of the 50th Anniversary edition of Bill Buckley’s classic political memoir about his historic 1965 NYC mayoral campaign against Abe Beame and John V. Lindsay. Don’t demand a recount – demand a copy of this beautiful ... -
Calling Doctor Howard, Doctor Fine, Doctor Sanders
Dear Weekend Jolter, Surely The Three Stooges in part are the inspiration for the Socialist senator from Vermont. Agree or not, we’ll lead off the Weekend Jolt with a fortnightly holler about the new issue of National Review, the ... -
Do-Over! Moving Sale: The Premier Issue, Bound
OK comrades, we tried getting rid of these the other day and there were few takers. Being folks who appreciate market forces, we’ll drop the price. And throw in a refrigerator magnet of the premier issue! So here’s ... -
Moving Sale: The Governor Listeth
Subtitled “A Book of Inspired Political Revelations,” this 1971 paperback collection of Bill Buckley’s greatest hits from the previous decade, remains a terrific read. We have 17 copies – these were Bill’s own. They are in pretty decent shape. For $10 you ... -
Moving Sale: The Right Word
Any and every Buckley enthusiast needs this splendid hardcover collection, a jamboree of wisdom “About the Uses and Abuses of Language, and About Vocabulary; About Usage, Style & Speaking; Fiction, Diction, Dictionaries; With Reviews and Interviews; a Lexicon; on Latin & Letters, ... -
Moving Sale: Miles Gone By
The beautiful hardcover copy of Bill Buckley’s literary memoir: You can have one of the dozen copies (from WFB’s own stash, they’re in tip-top shape) for $35. Each is nearly 600 pages and includes a CD of select readings ... -
No “Notlob” Jokes or Routine Allowed
Dear Weekend Jolter, I am about to share a message from John Bolton. Now, I know there are some of you (a tiny group, thank the Creator) who, when they hear “Bolton,” think about “Notlob” and dead parrots and other ... -
Macbeth, King of. . . Kong
Dear Weekend Jolters, It’s for sure: The following may very well be a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury and all that jazz. But as the subject line hints, the intention is to talk, in ... -
Brookhiser-athon
More NR-moving consequences that might result in a fuller bookshelf for you. We have smatterings of some of Rick Brookhiser’s acclaimed books. We can’t take them with us, but we can sell them to you! Given the varying ... -
Position Available at NR HQ
National Review Institute is seeking an Office Assistant for our shared office with National Review. Much of National Review’s success over the years is attributable to the staff behind the scenes. For every face you know at National Review, ... -
It Came from Beneath the Banana
Dear Weekend Jolters, I may be whistling The Good Ship Lollipop, but I am really somewhere in or on the Atlantic, aboard the Queen Mary 2 on the 2017 National Review Cruise, where your faithful correspondent is crushed from the work (nice ... -
Mount the Ramparts for Skirmishes
Next week we’re expecting a hot-off-the-presses shipment of the new National Review book, Skirmishes, which is a big, meaty, thoroughly entertaining hardcover best-of collection of Neal B. Freeman’s greatest hits for National Review, The American Spectator, The Weekly ... -
‘The Perilous State of the Golden State’
Amigos, today is launch day of National Review’s Radio Free California podcast, our new weekly offering which features Will Swaim, president of California Policy Center, and financial whiz and NR contributor David Bahnsen, discussing, as Will put it, “the ... -
Put ‘Em in the Hoosegow
This is the last day of a very long work week, maybe one of major consequence as the multiculturalists seek to radically alter public debate and the nature of our democracy, while Islamofascists murder innocent people in Spain in their ... -
Billionaire Letters of Transit
Good morning. Welcome to Big Jim’s Joltateria. My name is Jack and I will be your waiter. Before I show you the menu of range-free, locally grown, organic, artisan NRO selections, let me tell you about today’s special: ... -
Mothball the Monuments
Good morning. Sorry, Jim Geraghty is still away. If you ask “When will this nightmare end?” I can assure you, soon. In the meanwhile, I’ll pinch run (see more below). OK, now to the current scene. Here are six (... -
Will Losers Be Called Losers?
Given the events of the weekend past, I do wish Jim Geraghty were here to share his very special wisdom and analysis. Alas, he is away this week, so Yours Truly will pinch hit. We’ll keep the Monday MJ ... -
Radio Free Kudlow Looms!
I am pulled over to the side of this lonely road, somewhere in Massachusetts, lost but determined to remind one and all to tune in to tomorrow’s episode of The Larry Kudlow Show. Sorry: I’m aloof as to ... -
My, Isn’t that Jury Grand
Dear Reader, Happy Weekend fellow conservatives, and wannabes. Join us! Leave the Dark Side of the Force and walk to the light. No, not that light! Now, below you’ll find worthwhile links to groovy things mostly located on NRO, ... -
Citizen Newt
As NR’s former congressional reporter (Bush 41!), I have always been keenly interested in Newt Gingrich (fact: when he was the presumptive speaker, he was also the first guest speaker on the primo NR cruise, back in December 1994!). So I’... -
Protecting Nonprofit Donor Privacy
It’s a big aspect of free speech, and a big obsession of the Left, which is consumed with violating the anonymity of donors so Alinskyite flying monkeys and boycott stooges can attack business owners and corporate mavens who dare ...
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Houston, We Have Conference
Dallas, too. On Tuesday, March 6 (Big D), and Wednesday, March 7 (Houston), the NR gang will be in Texas as part of National Review Institute’s cross-country “Remembering William F. Buckley Jr.” program to champion the Buckley Legacy as we mark ... -
Skies Are Looking Fair
A little more anyway. Last year, I wrote about a battle between U.S. airlines and three aggressive Middle East competitors: The charge from this hemisphere was that the state-owned airlines — Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways — were violating and ... -
Thank You Rush
Seems like our friend and America’s premier conservative voice has never done a local event in his home town of Palm Beach. But on Tuesday, Rush Limbaugh ventured not too far from the EIB studio in order to join ... -
Outrage over Outrageous Outrage
Dear Jolters, In life, there are dark, real, and serious things over which one can and should be outraged — as was the case in Ida Lupino’s 1950 movie. But there are many who live to be outraged 24/7 (and not like ... -
I Just Want to Be Alone
Dear Jolters, This missive goes into the pneumatic tubery at NRO as the drama following the impending shutdown grips Washington (and the rest of the country watches reruns of Shark Tank). Like Garbo, I’m sure that if you had ... -
Where Have You Gone, Ted Mack?
Dear Jolter, I’ve been in bed all week with a fever, so my fevered brain asks: Who among you wouldn’t think that allowing Michael Wolff into the White House — to embed a liberal in the West Wing — would ... -
Here’s what Andy has to say about NRI
Over on the home page, Andy McCarthy has penned a wonderful entreaty urging you to support National Review Institute’s End-of-Year appeal. Here’s a slice of it: The new reality means our work must tackle policy implications in the ... -
It Would Be Jolly Good If You Helped Us This Weekend
As we head into Christmas, with its grace of charity that is so powerful it could even more the heart of Scrooge, I am asking those NRO readers who are fans of any of the following NR Institute fellows — Victor ... -
Nick’s Waiting for You to Do One More Thing to Get on the Nice List
Look at that face. He’s almost there. You just need to do one more generous thing to get Saint Nick to break out in a big smile and confirm you on the list of the coal-lump-free. Let me suggest ... -
Personally, I’ve Never Dreamt of Sugarplums
And I bet you haven’t either, even though it’s the time of year for that. But I bet you have thought about making special choices for charitable (tax deductible!) giving – it’s the time of year for that ... -
There’s Got to Be a Worst, and He’s It
Dear Jolters, And how are you on this lovely Saturday afternoon? Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and all that’s good and dandy I hope. Even those of you who live in the Land of Lincoln, which folks like me — who live ... -
Attention Northeast Florida: Charlie Cooke Is Coming to Town
Our dear friend and once-upon-a-colleague Neal Freeman, author of the recently National Review–published and acclaimed collection of essays from your favorite magazine and website, as well as other friendlies — it’s appropriately titled Skirmishes — will be hosting NRO’s ... -
He’d Have Been 92 Today
As is our custom, the offices of National Review are closed the day following Thanksgiving. The turkey does make you groggy, after all. Never mind the hard cider. But a day without a Jolt? Perish that thought. We’ll keep ... -
Our Lady of Mount Caramel
Dear Weekend Jolter, Praised be, you too have finally emerged from your stuffing coma. Oh, really? Well, I’m so sorry that the bloat continues to blur your vision. So as not to overtax your chubby peepers, we’ll keep ... -
Obamacare Hikes for 2018 May Top 80 Percent in Some States
Your premiums are going to go up in 2018. A lot. Thanks, Obamacare. The national-average increase is a smidge over 27 percent, but depending on the state you live in, the hike could skyrocket to as much as 81 percent. Freedom Partners has ... -
We Conclude Our Webathon this Sunday
We remain short of our $200,000 goal. Yes, we are more than halfway there. But there is a big gap. Help fill it. These people have, and have sent encouraging words along with their generosity: Michael doles out $100 and puts it ... -
Hey, Frequent Flyers
If you come to NRO early and often, if you are a repeat customer at the all-you-can-eat 24/7 buffet that Rich, Charlie, and the gang replenish non-stop, if you’ve never tossed a piece of green paper in the tip jar, ... -
We Soldier on Because You Soldiered. And Sailored. And Flew.
Dear Jolters, This is Veterans Day, and, inspired by a very young Lt. William F. Buckley, we remove our hats to all who honorably and bravely served their nation and the cause of liberty by wearing the uniform of our ... -
Moore is Less
Big Jim Geraghty is away today, and what a day for politics he picked, and in what incapable hands his daily missive has been placed, so we’ll keep this short and sweet, to save embarrassments of all kinds, and ... -
NR Institute Seeking Regional Fellows in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia
National Review Institute is seeking applicants for the Spring 2018 session of its popular Regional Fellows Program in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. The ideal applicant will be a mid-career professional, working in a non-policy professional setting. Past Fellows ... -
Time to Stop the Insanity
Dear Jolters, A rough week in NYC. Because of needs on the home front, I wasn’t in Manhattan when the plotting Diversity Immigrant mowed down nearly two dozen people, leaving eight dead, others maimed. NR’s offices are in ... -
Calling All Saints!
Around these parts, we get all venerating about our supporters, like the Church does about saints. And while I am not sure what Luther had to say about canonizations and the like when he was hammering away 500 years ago yesterday, ... -
Murdering Omertà
My National Review paesano and friend Jay Nordlinger attacks John Thune for expressing this: that his Trump-critic colleagues – namely Senators Jeff Flake and Bob “Iran Deal” Corker – should keep such criticisms within the Republican Caucus; that they and others would ... -
Admit It . . .
. . . you’d have given anything to trade places with that pretty pooch. To just sit and watch, quietly, and maybe serve as a paperweight, while WFB pounded out profound conservative wisdom as he grew this movement. In a typewriter-modified limo ... -
Unleash the Hounds! The NRO 2017 Webathon Is On!
OK, make that unleash the spaniels. This is the 6th of Bucktember, roaring into the first full week of our important effort to raise funds — which can be donated here — from our NRO friends, especially those who love this website, ... -
Nobody Messes with BB. Or BB.
Dear Weekend Jolter, Or maybe that was about putting BB or baby in a corner. Regardless: See below for the fuller explanation, but we are treating all NR friends these next few fundraising weeks (yes, it’s webathon time!) to ... -
Celebrate the Human Life Review
If you are traveling to New York City next week to attend NRI’s fourth annual William F. Buckley Jr. Prize Dinner, on October 25, consider spending an extra night in the Big Apple to celebrate the Human Life Review’s ... -
SCOTUS Preview
Last week, Pacific Legal Foundation and National Review Institute held their fourth annual joint preview of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court term. Ramesh Ponnuru moderated a most informative panel of High Court experts. Grab a cold one and watch: -
And Is Anyone Really Surprised
. . . . . . that Connecticut’s liberal Democrat Senator, the grandstanding and sanctimonious Chris Murphy, is already raising money off the Las Vegas Massacre? -
Moving Sale: Buckley’s 80th Bash
That was a great night in NYC in November of 2005 as we celebrated our founder’s 80th Birthday with a big honkin’ black-tie dinner in New York City, emceed by Christopher Buckley. You’ll enjoy the DVD of the festivities. ... -
Loving Our Flag on the Silver Screen
The current contretemps about anthems, statues, protests, and football prompts me to humbly recommend MGM’s 1951 version of The Red Badge of Courage, John Huston’s classic based on Stephen Crane’s beloved Civil War novel. I adore this movie ... -
Moving Sale: United Nations Journal
The critics loved WFB’s account of his time spent as a Nixon appointee to that august (cough) body. There are five copies (from Bill’s own stash) of the paperback edition of this “Delegate’s Odyssey” to be had. ... -
Moving Sale: Overdrive
The acclaimed 1983 book, a week in the life of Bill Buckley. Action packed, seat-belt required, immensely enjoyable. Just four copies left, from WFB’s own stash. You can have one for $25. That includes shipping. Order here. -
Moving Sale: The Premier Issue, Bound
We’ve got a dozen copies of the beautiful reproduction of NR Volume One, Number One, hard -bound. It’s the classic November 17, 1955 issue in which Bill Buckley promised to stand at heart history, yelling Stop. You want one (remember, ... -
Moving Sale: The Gipper
For $30 you can have one of the 20 copies we have left of the black-bordered June 28, 2004 issue of National Review: our incredibly popular “Reagan Memorial” issue, which contains dozens of pieces by the likes of Paul Johnson, Charlton Heston, Lou Cannon, ... -
Oyez, Oyez: Get the Primo SCOTUS Preview
As has happened now for the past three years, National Review Institute and Pacific Legal Foundation will once again host an expert-led preview of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court term: “The Consequential Cases in the Supreme Court’s 2017–18 Term” ... -
John O’Sullivan on John Howard
Some people turn you off at the first syllable. But I could listen to John O’Sullivan for hours. You won’t have to commit that much time, but do take some and listen to our colleague, Down Under at ... -
Attention All Big-Boned Readers
Of these beauts (given ages ago as an NR Cruise gift — the leftovers were brought back to HQ but sadly ended up buried behind boxes of this and that), now unearthed as we prepare for our upcoming office move, we ... -
Will He Go Wooly Over DACHA Ban?
Dear Weekend Jolter, OK, I have just been informed by Phil the Editorial Boy Wonder that the Trump action was on DACA, not dachas. Sorry. I was a bit woolly when I started writing this, minus any coffee, and jet-lagged — ... -
Update: Moving Sale and Bound Volumes
We have now located a number of NR Bound Volumes dating back to 1981, and offer them to you for purchase as we prepare for our forthcoming office move to smaller, more efficient quarters. We have limited copies available for all ... -
It’s Out
On the cover of the new issue (September 11, 2017), Roman Genn takes some liberties with Our Gang to make a provocative point, syncing with Kevin Williamson’s lead essay, “The ‘N’ Word,” which reveals his interview with that Richard Spencer. Also ... -
Everybody Must Get Stoned
Dear Jolters, I had the pleasure of filling in for Jim Geraghty last week on the Morning Jolt, so having daily plowed the NR turf, I might repeat a link or three shared via MJ. Forgive me, and offer it ... -
More Moving Stuff
So you want an NR bound volume or two? Of course you do, and as luck would have it, we have them in stock, starting in 1991, through 2015 (all but two years are available; although for some years, we have several, ... -
Vulnerable Babies Need Not Apply
Well, that was a rough day, America. I’d count on more of the same today. But with all its insanity and hoopla, it is this story by Alexandra DeSanctis, on Iceland having no room for babies with Down Syndrome, ... -
NRI Seeks Development Officer – Maybe You!
Maybe even officers. The non-profit sister organization of National Review is looking for a talented and experienced (five years minimum) individual in the Midwest (preferably Chicago) who will help gain new financial support and supporters for NRI’s exceptional fellows, ... -
Liberals Accuse CHEESE of a Terrible Crime
Dear Reader, OK, before we get to the jolting, duty calls: I really need you to help NR. You’ve heard it: We’re moving. Downsizing. But: I don’t want to toss books you’d want. So how about ... -
Moving Sale
Friends as we empty out the storerooms we come across all sorts of stuff that believe you might want. Such as a copy of Bill Buckley’s 2002 novel, Nuremberg: The Reckoning. Critics called it “a masterpiece of historical fiction” (New ... -
Radio Free Kudlow
I have to leave early because the dog got loose and a spider found residence in the hamper, so I won’t get a chance to learn (and share) the line-up of tomorrow’s episode of The Larry Kudlow Show, ... -
Wanted: Full-Time Policy Writer
The ideal candidate would be a recent college graduate who shows interest, proficiency, and experience in writing on areas of domestic policy, including but not limited to tax and fiscal policy, health care, limited government, education reform, affirmative action, and ... -
Brothers No More. . . Almost No More
The looming NR office move has uncovered some treats, including, from Bill Buckley’s old private stash, a box of 20 paperback copies (in pretty pristine shape) of his acclaimed 1996 novel, Brothers No More, his first work of fiction not with ...