In one way, Robert Kagan’s recent “long-form” (7,000 words) essay in the Washington Post, “The strongmen strike back”, is an honest, intelligent examination of the rise of illiberalism in the modern world, a phenomenon as incontestable as it is dispiriting. In another way, Bob’s latest and longest is a bit of a con job, and…
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War! What is it good for! APPROPRIATIONS!
Some time ago—well, thirty years ago, more or less—I read a reminiscence on the journalism biz by Michael Kinsley, recalling the words of journalistic wisdom he received as a tyro from a legendary pundit whose name I have forgotten: “Always sell the same piece at least three times.” By that standard, I’m a motherfucking journalistic…
Trump stumbles his way to peace. Or not.
Donald Trump’s decision to “walk away” from his always dubious summit with North Korean strongman/torturer/mass murderer Kim Jong-un was greeted with sighs—indeed heartfelt gasps—of relief on the part of the MIC (Military Intellectual Complex), including the editors of the National Review who rightfully pummeled Trump for his obvious and continuing affection—and indeed admiration—for Little Kim,…
A Social Call
(Another short story in the manner of Rex Stout, featuring Nero Wolfe.) “I’m afraid that would be impossible.” “I agree entirely. And it’s been my experience that when things are impossible, they don’t happen. Which means that we should just forget about this.” She laughed. “But that would be impossible as well.” “I assure you…
Sphericity
Thelonious Sphere Monk probably did not drink as much bourbon as William Faulkner. He probably did not shoot as much heroin as William Burroughs, or smoke as much marijuana as Norman Mailer, or get as many “vitamin shots” from feel-good Manhattan doctors as John F. Kennedy. But he had his share. He had his measure….
Bring Back the Horse, and End the Madness
For centuries, Americans—real Americans—great Americans!—rode horses. But that has changed, and that has changed everything. I refer, of course, of the constant tendency of today’s “writers” to use the word “reign” when the correct word is “rein”, the error popping up in sources as disparate as the first Iron Man—“Tony Takes the Reigns”1—and “What the…
O My Democratic Party, Where the F*ck Art Thou?
Well, good question. If Happy Days aren’t here again, and they aren’t, life is better, definitely. To have the House of Representatives back in Democratic hands after eight long years is definitely a pleasure if not a treasure. As one representative put it “Being in the majority is a thousand times better.” Furthermore, the party’s…
Sweeping up a few Republican crumbs
Okay, that’s a bit harsh, even though, let’s face it, a lot of Republicans are crumbs. A week or two ago, I ran a piece, “John McCain, Paul Ryan, and the Myth of the Virtuous Republican”, in the course of which I quoted fairly extensively from two often interesting “I’m outta here” books by (more…
Reviews
My reviews of all the films of Charlie Chaplin, originally written for the Bright Lights Film Journal. The Year at Keystone, Part 1 The Year at Keystone, Part 2 Keystone and Essanay Days The Mutuals First National, Shoulder Arms and The Kid The Idle Class, Pay Day, The Pilgrim, and A Woman of Paris The Gold…
Traveling North: The Education of Alice Barnstable
I hate to admit it, but the day I graduated from college was the worst day of my life. Actually, it wasn’t so bad except for like the last two hours. So I guess those last two hours must have been pretty bad, right? I graduated from the University of Maryland with about 3,000 other…