MONA CHAREN on why we don’t let children run the world. It’s the second half of the piece that struck me, because I really, really can’t stand the whole “the US vs. its enemies is just like a schoolyard fight, the President is being a big bully, we need the teacher to step in and separate them” naive attempt at childlike wisdom. The innocence of doves minus the wisdom of serpents can be just as deadly as the reverse. (Also, why is it somehow considered profound when a child rephrases his or her parents’ political bromides in an even more simplistic and unenlightening fashion? I mean, that’s nice dear, now run along. Doubtless I did this too–I’m sure every child of politically-minded parents does this–but I hope nobody fawned over my “insights.”)