Shorter Daley on the EU: good fences make good neighbors. “Consensus” has become coercion. The imperatives of federalism and ever closer union have come bang up against the basic principle of democracy: that elected governments should be answerable to their … Continue reading →
A number of people have recommended this article by Walt Harrington about George W. Bush, whom the journalist first met back in the 80s and became friendly with. Those people are correct; it’s a fascinating read. Their friendship endured throughout … Continue reading →
…comes out with his book-length gossip sheet on temporary next-door-neighbor Sarah Palin, and even the NY Times can’t stomach it: McGinniss is “too busy being nasty to be lucid.” Ouch—although, of course, the two are hardly mutually exclusive. McGinniss is … Continue reading →
Well, not really. For one thing, the interview was conducted in 1958, before Obama was born. But maybe you’ll see what I mean if you watch some of it: As for Huxley, although I think Brave New World was a … Continue reading →
I must say I didn’t immediately get what today’s Google graphic was meant to refer to: I had to cheat by going to “View image info.” Why, it’s the 112th birthday of Jorge Luis Borges! Although he’s a tremendous favorite … Continue reading →
…just too mean, too ornery, and too Texan to be elected? Boy, do the chattering classes ever hate this guy! If he is elected, the furor against him will make BDS look like a love affair. Perry is everything the … Continue reading →
The other day I was talking with friend, comparing the present feeling of unrest to the turmoil of the late 60s. We agreed that both times were tumultuous, but she thought things were worse now. I said I wasn’t sure; … Continue reading →
…and hope for the best. The latest suggestion is that nothing much that you can do matters—although of course it’s best not to off yourself prematurely if you want to reach three figures. One thing that might help would be … Continue reading →
I can’t say I knew much about Amy Winehouse until her death, although I’d vaguely heard of her. But from what I’ve read since, it appears she exemplified a type of addict who is extraordinarily difficult to help—defiant and resistant … Continue reading →
So, was J.D. Salinger to blame for the murder of John Lennon? It’s an absurd question, on the face of it: of course he wasn’t. But as Mark David Chapman, Lennon’s killer, stood waiting to fire the fatal bullets, he … Continue reading →
Of all the hard-to-believe scenarios involved in the DSK case (and that includes all of them), this one reported by the NY Post might just be the most implausible so far: Before she ever walked into Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s dazzling suite … Continue reading →
I’ve been revisiting the memoir Self-Consciousness by John Updike, which I first read when it was published in 1989. Updike is best known for his novels, but I consider them his weakest genre. I much prefer the short stories and … Continue reading →