VDH=The Man

I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Victor Davis Hanson last week at Lehigh University. Dr. Hanson spoke with the sober intonation of the learned classicist rather than the emotional, knee-jerk reactionism that many "scholars" use as analytical tools in the mainstream. The one characteristic Hanson possesses that I admire greatly is the ability to look at things empirically and then use the wisdom of history to formulate opinions. Too many people have the ability to pick one example from a history text and use it justify their own personal view; Hanson has the scope of knowledge required to "see the big things big" and not be a slave to emotion and political correctness. His austerity (perhaps ingrained from being raised on a farm?) is a refreshing breeze in the stagnant halls of academia.

Personally, I found Dr. Hanson to be amiable, modest, and thoughtful. Agree or disagree with his exegeses, but pay particular attention to his methodology. The world needs more critical thinkers.