bookmark_borderMadison’s act of belevolence: the Venezuela Earthquake and 200 years of American foreign aid.

James Madison is often quoted as having been against hand-outs,

“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.”*

Although these probably weren’t James Madison’s exact words, Congressman Madison probably said something similar.

Portrait of James Madison
Portrait of James Madison

Continue reading “Madison’s act of belevolence: the Venezuela Earthquake and 200 years of American foreign aid.”

bookmark_borderCovered (a tale of Caracas in 1812)

Men will tell you that the Republic had no faith in God; but then, why were the churches in the Capital full that day?

Some may have been there to display their gratitude (to their fellow atheists perhaps), or to ask forgiveness (from a God who they apparently did not think existed).

Ernesto Malego was there out of habit. Continue reading “Covered (a tale of Caracas in 1812)”