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In Slate, Jacob Weisberg argues that a proper misguided desire to avoid the foreign policy mistakes of the Bush years is at the root of Obama’s decision not to make loud but empty gestures that will do no good on matters where America has no interest or authority “stand up for the broader ideas of [...]
Filed under: foreign affairs, media/culture, politics
by JL Wall
I’m not quite sure what to make of this New York Times article on “2-D love” — between a living, breathing, human and Anime characters (frequently pillowcases, frequently prepubescent) — except that it does, in its way, demand taking a step back and looking from a different angle at claims that technology — [...]
Filed under: media/culture
“I think of politics as a circle, not a spectrum of just right and left. Patrick [Buchanan] and I are often pretty close. Patrick’s an honest person. He’s a straight guy and very smart guy. His magazine, the American Conservative, is really interesting. It’s all anti-Bush, basically. I’m pleased with that.” ~ Hunter S. Thompson
P.S. [...]
Filed under: conservatism, media/culture, politics
This post by R.R. Reno is a bizarre read. I’m entirely willing to entertain the view that race may have had much less to do with the arrest of Henry Louis Gates than many have claimed, or indeed that race may have had nothing to do with his arrest at all. Hence when one of [...]
Filed under: civil liberties, media/culture
by JL Wall
‘Days after the murder of the NFL quarterback Steve McNair, one typically remorseful sportswriter put it this way: “We throw out silly words, often referring to [athletes'] on-field efforts as ‘heroic.’ They are not heroes … Heroes drive around your town in patrol cars … Heroes teach our children … They try to [...]
Filed under: media/culture, sports
So Jesse Walker shares my discomfort with Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, but adds an esoteric twist:
That book is a common target, so much so that I have to wonder whether we’ve been missing the point of it all these years. Silverstein had a dark sensibility and a wicked sense of humor. Maybe he [...]
Filed under: media/culture, morality
Via publius, it appears that some lady in Delaware was recently doing her best impersonation of Andrew Sullivan on Sarah Palin’s pregnancy “pregnancy”. The Pledge of Allegiance bit is downright hysterical, as is, well, the lady – though not in a good way:
Filed under: media/culture, politics
I’m making a list – want to pile on?
Filed under: media/culture
by JL Wall
First, if you’re so inclined, go read Sharon’s post about losing a friend. The contrast with the type of grief she discussed and I followed up on is notable, but that aside, it’s a beautiful tribute to friendship and life.
I’ve realized that in the process of writing my post on grief, spectacle, [...]
Filed under: media/culture, philosophy
by JL Wall
I suppose I’m a little late to the party, but I went to see the movie last night and quite enjoyed it. This will have some (important, I suppose) plot spoilers, so beware. In fact, to stall and take up physical space so that you have time to avert your eyes if [...]
Filed under: family, media/culture
