The follow is a summary of the December, 2004, issue of the St. Croix Review:

 

In the editorial, Angus MacDonald brings to life a simple celebration from days now past beyond recall to illustrate a lesson, in “An Old-fashioned Christmas.”

 

In “Remembering the Past to Fight War in the Present,” Herbert London offers an explanation why people seem to forget a catastrophic attack so quickly; in “The Ill-informed Voter” he looks at public ignorance, elite preferences, and political manipulation; in “Voting for Credit” he relates the latest efforts of professors to influence the election; in “There Was a Clear Choice” he considers how each of presidential contenders would approach the War.

 

In “War on Terror Should Not Become a War on Islam; U.S. Policy Should Seek to Separate the Moderate Moslem Majority from Extremists,” Allan Brownfeld writes that the driving force behind fanatical Islam is centered in Saudi Arabia. The Saudis spend billions of dollars on schools around the world that preach the hateful Wahhabi version of Islam. Allan Brownfeld believes we should help the majority of moderate Moslems, and he quotes some American Moslems who are fighting back.

 

Arnold Beichman describes the hostility of the governing party of Canada, past and present, towards the U.S. in “Canada’s Cold Shoulder to U.S.”

 

In “What Would Patton Say About the Present War?” Victor David Hanson explores the qualities of General George Patton, especially his thinking on strategic and global politics, and finds them superior to those of Generals Eisenhower and Bradley. Dr. Hanson believes we would be well-advised to adopt Patton’s beliefs.

 

In “Evil and George W. Bush,” Paul Kengor comments on how George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan have used the word “evil,” and he compare how the critics of both these presidents have used the same word in different ways.

 

In “Avoiding Hell in Russell Kirk’s Uncanny Tales,” R. Andrew Newman discusses three of Kirk’s supernatural stories—Russell Kirk’s propensity for this kind of writing may come as a surprise, as he is known for his writings on conservative ideals.

 

Thomas Martin, in “Reading in Decline” connects the ability to read literature with the development of the soul, the development of character.   

 

Joseph S. Fulda uses genies and lawmakers in “A Lesson from a Fairy Tale.”

 

In “Evil Dreams” John Gardner writes of his experience of the Socialist Labor Party in Boston in the mid 60s.  He demonstrates how a body of ideas aiming towards utopia must either ruthlessly pursue power, thereby canceling out good intentions, or it is unable to change the course of events.

 

In “Let’s Change Child Custody System,” Molly K. Olson questions the present system, in which one parent is pitted against the other, and suggests that joint physical custody be considered.

 

Martin Harris cites two recent examples certain classes people lose rights and others benefit in “New Property Rights--in Detroit and Middlebury.”

 

John D’Aloia Jr. reveals, in “The Nature of County Taxes,” some of the tricks involved in raising taxes.

 

In the book review section, Dwight D. Murphey reviews  The Meaning of Is: The Squandered Impeachment and Wasted Legacy of William Jefferson Clinton, by Bob Barr; Miles D. Wolpin reviews Classic Americans, by Louise Lane and James Albert; and Arnold Beichman reviews Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended, by Jack Matlock Jr.