Sense of Superiority
How the media missed a scandal and the National Intelligence Estimate became so unintelligent — From The New Criterion of January, 2008
Among the Mad Simpletons
The 40th Anniversary of The American Spectator provides an opportunity for a wistful look back at some other cultural leftovers of the 1960s — from the December 2007/January 2008 issue
Entry from January 29, 2008
Oh, Lord, let me not be a front-runner! Today, less than a month into the primary season, we seem on the point of pronouncing the political obituaries of the two candidates who were the strong favorites to win their parties’ nominations only a few short weeks ago. Rudy Giuliani is trailing badly in the polls…
There Will Be Blood
A dud tragedy with a prize-catching but bogus moral about what it would doubtless describe as American “capitalism” — but with lots to watch for you film buffs
Entry from January 22, 2008
In today’s Wall Street Journal, Bret Stephens identifies John McCain as the presidential candidate of “American honor” and says that that is the reason why, at least within the Republican party, he is winning this time in spite of having lost last time, in 2000. Last time, he ran and lost as an anti-establishment, “moderate”…
Clooney Tunes
Hillary’s agonizing choice: remain a ‘rock star’ and lose or abjure Bill’s legacy and win — From The New Criterion of December, 2007
P.S. I Love You
A movie that prompts the reflection that the therapeutic romance isn’t really romantic at all
Charlie Wilson’s War
A lightweight comedy about the role of an obscure Texas congressman in ending the Cold War is about as near to being patriotic as Hollywood allows itself to get these days
Heroism, Modernism and the Utopian Impulse
Why are we so suspicious and even contemptuous of the idea of heroism? — From The New Atlantis of Summer, 2007
Entry from December 7, 2007
“Now I”ll be famous,” wrote 19-year-old Robert Hawkins the other day before murdering eight people at the Westroads shopping mall in Omaha and then killing himself. Now that, two days later, The New York Times is reporting on those who are “searching for clues to a young killer’s motivations,” you’ve got to wonder why anyone would…