I do not have a whole lot more light to shed on the common good debate, but I think I owe Michael Brendan Dougherty and our readers a short reply to Michael’s latest rejoinder. I do not believe that I misrepresented Michael’s position, and it was certainly not my intention to do so. Did I misunderstand it? I leave it at this point to readers to compare Michael’s conclusion to the impression it produced and decide for themselves whether or not that was what he intended to convey. For my part, I always try to make clear my own conclusions; we lawyers are trained to do so, because if you don’t say out loud what you’re asking a judge for,........

© National Review