Category Archives: Uncategorized

Demagogy, of the Very Best Sort

When I take up a person, Mr. Lyndon, he, or she, is safe. There is no question about them anymore. My friends are the best people. I don’t mean they’re the most virtuous, or, indeed, the least virtuous, or the cleverest, or the stupidest, richest or best born. But, the best. In a word, peopleContinue reading “Demagogy, of the Very Best Sort”

Hazard? What Moral Hazard?

Let’s twist again, like we did last summerLet’s twist again, like we did last year–Chubby Checker, Let’s Twist AgainIn understanding the madness of our entanglement in Iraq I find it helps to reject out of hand everything the administration says and ignore the distorted center of polite opinion maintained by the corporate press, while continuallyContinue reading “Hazard? What Moral Hazard?”

Shooting the Blue State Bar Bull

“No, I didn’t see the speech. What did he say?” “It was exhilarating. I’m still tingling.” “What did he say?” “He was in rare form. Dignity. Poise. Handsome.”“Nonsense. He looks like Stan Laurel’s mulatto love child. What did he say?”“His inflection, his tempo. Just perfect.”“What did he say?” “His is a rare eloquence. He struckContinue reading “Shooting the Blue State Bar Bull”

Seminal Found Sounds

Brian Eno and David Byrne, Help me Somebody, from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, 1981This record was so ahead of its time in, among other things, its rhythmic-instrumental manipulation of “found” sounds and voice samples (in particular its mesmerizing use of charismatic evangelical sermons, such as here–listening to the record again I’m struckContinue reading “Seminal Found Sounds”

Throw Granny Under the Bus, Hug the Store-Front Preacher, Affect Magnanimity

One of the early responders to the Obama speech praised it by saying that the senator appeals to the “winners and losers” of the American experience. This is a common case of a mainstream figure tripping over the fatal flaw in the American Left’s narrative, hitting his head and taking the ensuing flash of whiteContinue reading “Throw Granny Under the Bus, Hug the Store-Front Preacher, Affect Magnanimity”