MILT'S
FILE
November
2002
November
28, 2002:
THE POLLACK ARGUMENT. The Brookings Institution's
Kenneth Pollack recently published The Threatening Storm: The
Case for Invading Iraq, a book that continues to generate
heated discussion. Here is a thoughtful and, as usual, far-ranging
commentary from The New York Review of Books. A useful
addition to the unending debate.
http://www.nybooks.com/
TERRORISM AS VIEWED FROM THE LITTLE LEFT SCHOOLHOUSE. One professor
takes on the dreary task of reading popular international relations
textbooks to see what they say about terrorism. And here is what
he finds. This is as dismaying as anything concerning the contemporary
American university that we have seen recently.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
DO YOU SUFFER FROM ANY FORM OF PTSD? After all, we are all victims
or had ancestors who were. Check this out to see whether you are
due reparations that have not yet been collected.
http://opinionjournal.com/
AND SPEAKING OF REPARATIONS. Here is a serious inquiry on this
important question from the current issue of the First Things
journal.
http://www.firstthings.com/
WHEN E.D. HIRSCH SPEAKS WE SHOULD LISTEN. Of all the commentators
on American education and its failings, he is one of the wisest.
And this essay on "educational research" and what, if anything,
it illuminates is a valuable and-- because of the Hirschean style--
very readable contribution.
http://www.policyreview.org/
THE TIMES TAKES ON GOLDHAGEN. Daniel Goldhagen appeared on Extension
720 a few weeks ago to discuss his new book A Moral Reckoning.
He holds Christianity generally, and the Papacy more particularly,
to have fostered the anti-Judaism which made the Holocaust possible.
This was bound to generate argument and rejection. And that is
what he gets in this review from Sunday's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE MASTER OF BIG BAND SWING. None other than Glenn Miller and
his band with a generous selection of their famous recordings.
Dont miss Little Brown Jug and Moonlight Serenade.
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 27, 2002:
SUPER K TO HEAD THE PANEL. One of our favorite
guests, Dr. Henry Kissinger, has been appointed to head the independent
commission investigating 9/11. If nothing else, we know the investigation
will be thorough.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
STILL SEARCHING FOR AN IMAGE. The further adventures of Al Gore.
Any one who manages to always seem somewhat inauthentic may well
be the most authentic among us..in that by dissembling badly he
indirectly honors ingenuousness. Huh?
http://www2.observer.com/
NOUS AIMONS LA FRANCE, MAIS....This piece from the current National
Review traces the historicity of the stand-offish, neutralist
style of the French government. Ca veux dire que nous cherchons
un autre LaFayette.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
ONE OF THE GREATEST PUT-DOWNS IN ENGLISH LITERATURE. Thomas Babington,
Lord Macaulay was asked to review the latest book by the poet
laureate of England, Robert Southey. There is no more deliciously
devastating first paragraph than this. And the rest of the essay
is an absolute delight in literary savagery. Though published
in 1830 it stll stands as the defining instance of the "negative
review."
http://www.econlib.org/
MISS MANNERS TODAY AND TONIGHT. Judith Martin is the "Miss Manners"
of The Washington Post. Always amusing, useful, correct
and funny she is also a good amateur sociologist. Here is her
most recent column--and for much more of her wit and wisdom, just
listen tonight.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
THE GREAT FOURTH SYMPHONY OF BRAHMS. This masterwork of the romantic
tradition is heard hear in a fine performance by the Vienna Philharmonic
conducted by Carlos Kleiber. Just hit on the Au heiroglyph.
http://www.saeronam.or.kr/
November 26, 2002:
IRAQ IS ISOLATED AND ITS NEIGHBORS WON'T COME
TO ITS RESCUE. So says this report by a conservative observer
of international affairs. The curious thing about this article
is that it was printed in The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
WHAT DOES IRAQ HAVE AND HOW WILL THEY USE IT...in a coming war,
that is. This assessment is from the leading strategic think tank
in Israel and it conveys as much useful information as it raises
difficult questions.
http://www.tau.ac.il/
ONE STEP FORWARD AND ONE STEP BACKWARD. Reform in China may be
building a more effective economy. But in this case capitalism
does not seem to foster freedom. According to this on-site account,
the Chinese government is still true to the communist tradition
of persecution.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE PURSUIT OF BEAUTY AND JUSTICE IN NIGERIA. This one needs no
comment except a shudder.
http://apnews1.iwon.com/
WHERE IS THE NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE? Just about
every other ethnicity and nationality appears to have one. A general
survey of the flourishing grievance industry is provided in this
article from Reason magazine.
http://www.reason.com/
ABOUT SNL. Tom Shales, who did the recent oral history of Saturday
Night Live, seemed rather ambivalent about them when he appeared
on our program last month. Here is an essay about that inspired
comedic ensemble (the early years, not now!) by Malcom Gladwell
of The New Yorker. Good reading!
http://www.newyorker.com/
A GREAT PERFORMANCE OF A GREAT MODERN WORK. Of Prokofiev's many
piano concertos, we take this one to be the most moving and fully
conceived. And this performance by Tiradze is breathtaking.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
November 25, 2002:
UNDERMINING SADDAM--OR, AT LEAST, TRYING TO.
This informative article from the current issue of Time
suggests that, despite our efforts, there has been no serious
defection from inside Iraq. Not yet, anyway.
http://www.time.com/
DOES SAUDI ARABIA STILL MATTER? The dependence on Saudi oil need
not hamper western policy much longer--or even right now. Two
leading scholars of Mideast affairs provide a valuable analysis
in the journal of the Council on Foreign Relations.
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/
A MESSAGE FROM OSAMA TO YOU. Why does he hate us and want to kill
us? Let us count the ways. This message, if authenticated as coming
from bin Laden, makes clear--if any further clarity were needed--that
al-Qaeda is an implacable enemy out to destroy us. But note: we
can head them off if we ALL convert to Islam.
http://www.observer.co.uk/
HOW BAD (OR GOOD) IS AMERICAN JOURNALISM? Matt Welch, a veteran
journalist, of sorts, examines four books that argue that American
news media--particularly the print media--are in serious decline.
http://www.reason.com/
BELLOW AS VIEWED BY ATLAS AS VIEWED BY WOOD. This review of James
Atlas' biography of Saul Bellow appeared about two years ago.
It is a fine discussion of the literary achievement and idiosyncratic
qualities of Chicago's only winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.
http://www.tnr.com/
GALLOPING SOKALISM! A few years ago Alan Sokal, a well established
physicist, published a hoax-paper in a postmodernist journal.
Now two television clowns in France seem to have gone him one
(or two?) better. A great caper, as reported in the Times
a few weeks ago.
http://www.nytimes.com/
A GREAT FIND! We are proud of having located this one...B.B. King
in blues duets with many other great blues artists. Among them
are: John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor and Albert
Collins. If you care for blues at all, you must hear this. If
you don't, this will capture you.
http://www.beau-dacious.addr.com/
November 22, 2002:
AL QUEDA: THE BATTLE CONTINUES. A key operative,
supposedly tied closely to the attack on the USS Cole,
is now in custody--another small battle won. But what of the larger
war? The debate goes on, but this column does shed some light
on the struggle.
http://www.nytimes.com/
SAUDI
ARABIA ENTERS MODERNITY! According to this story from their leading
English language newspaper they will now: 1)abolish poverty 2)no
longer keep schoolgirls in burning buildings because they do not
have their heads covered and 3)car insurance will be introduced.
http://www.arabnews.com
WHIPPING THE PENTAGON INTO SHAPE. Michael O'Hanlon is a sharp
commentator on defense issues and here offers a quite positive
take on Don Rumsfeld's handling of the Pentagon--a rare instance,
perhaps, when the civilian oversight of professional military
affairs has struck the right balance.
http://www.brookings.edu/
HAVE THEY HEARD OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT AT THE HARVARD LAW SCHOOL?
This column by Dororthy Rabinowitz of the Wall Street Journal
reports yet another slide toward lunacy at Harvard.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/
THE NIGHT SKY. Timothy Ferris is one of the leading science writers
in the United States and visited Extension 720 just last month
to discuss his latest book (we'll be playing the recorded interview
in the near future). Here, the New York Review of Books
examines it and, in their typically wide-ranging review, looks
at the vast opportunities that the night sky offers the "amateur"
astronomer.
http://www.nybooks.com/
A HARMLESS VICE? You might not think so if you walked through
the masses of books in the Extension 720 offices. But they keep
rolling in and we keep reviewing them for show topics. For those
of you who might be addicted to collecting books, we empathize--and
offer this column from the UK Spectator to all who are
similarly afflicted.
http://www.spectator.co.uk/
ONE OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN MUSICALS: Which one? Guys and Dolls
as performed by the original Broadway cast. Don't miss Adelaide's
Lament or Take Back Your Mink or I'll Know..or, in fact, any of
the other selections.
http://community-2.webtv.net
November 21, 2002:
FROM THE "ADVERSARY CULTURE" AND ABOUT IT.
This important essay is from a new journal, The Claremont Review
of Books. We start with the wrath of Gore Vidal...and on to
some observers, rather than fomentors, of American anti-Americanism.
http://www.claremont.org/
MENAND ON PINKER. Recently, Steven Pinker of MIT appeared on our
program to discuss his important new book The Blank Slate.
He did not know that Louis Menand--an equally brilliant literary
person--was lying in wait for him. What do you think of this highly
readable (but also highly arguable) critique. Your repsonses are
welcome at: extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.newyorker.com/
WHO GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL? WHO DOESN'T? This valuable study
from the Manhattan Institute demonstrates tyhe differences in
graduation rates nationwide, between Caucasian, Black, Asian and
Hispanic students. The gap is wide and troubling. Just check on
the "executive summary" section of this site.
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/
MEN LIKE GODS! Can humans actually create new life in a laboratory
petri-dish? Read on...this story from today's Washington Post
may exhilirate you or it may dismay you.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
LEO
THE LEXICOGRAPHER. That's John Leo, one of our favorite truth-tellers
and a past guest on Extension 720. Here he works up a long list
of truth-evading euphemisms that might well fit into the next
edition of the Oxford Dictionary of American English.
http://www.usnews.com/
AN AMERICAN ARTIST. Ramblin Jack Elliot was a
young associate of Woody Guthrie and numbers among the great Folk
Singer artists. Here is a generous sample of his recordings.
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 20, 2002:
WHY DO THEY HATE US?...The Europeans, that
is. Arnold Beichman of the Hoover Institution gets it right, we
think, when he emphasizes the persistence of Marxism. This column
is worth reading and quoting!
http://www.washtimes.com/
AND SPEAKING OF ANTI-AMERICANISM. This longer article by Chris
Caldwell of the Weekly Standard adds a good deal of further
information and insight.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
THE IRAQIS AMONG US. Michelle Malkin recently did an important
book on the millions of illegal immigrants resident in the U.S.
and discussed her work with us on Extension 720. Her column today
examines more particularly the question of the Iraqi underground
presence in the country.
http://www.townhall.com/
RON ROSENBAUM ON BUSH HATRED. Hatred seems to be the issue on
today's list. Here from one of our favorite writers (and a past
guest on Extension 720) is a sharp essay on the near-paranoid
attribution of plots and secret foul deeds to the "Bush dynasty."
http://www.observer.com/
THE LASTING SIGNIFICANCE OF MOBY DICK. Here, from the London
Review of Books, is a wonderful essay about Melville's classic
work and its continuing resonance to modern experience.
http://www.lrb.co.uk/
SO WHAT ABOUT BIGFOOT? Or Sasquatch if you prefer. Does this creature
exist in the American northwest or any place else? Here is an
expert review of fifty years of "research" and "eye-witness" testimony.
http://www.csicop.org/
HE HAD SIX WIVES..BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME. And he had one of
the greatest of the "Swing Era" bands. Here is Artie Shaw at his
best. Beyond 'Begin the Beguine' be sure to listen to 'Special
Delivery Stomp' and 'My Blue Heaven.'
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 19, 2002:
PIPES ON TARGET AGAIN! Despite his foray into
policing the anti-Israeli academics (of which we do not approve)
Dan Pipes is a great resource for unvarnished and critical truth
about the American approach to threats from the radical Islamists.
In this column from today's New York Post he is back on
target.
http://www.nypost.com/
THE LAST TIME HE SAW PARIS. Theodore Dalrymple, who has been our
guest on Extension 720, is a British psychiatrist (with a French
wife) who has an eye for social catastrophe. This report from
his wife's home town--and everybody's favorite destination--is,
to say the least, chilling.
http://www.city-journal.org/
LIVING UNDER A DEATH SENTENCE. Salman Rushdie has sneaked into
our studio a number of times to chat about his career and his
"problem." He had to sneak in because he was under a death sentence
(the "fatwa") from the Ayatollah Khomeni. Here, in a revealing
recent interview, he talks about his life since the Ayatollah
fingered him.
http://www.januarymagazine.com/
DO YOU REMEMBER BOBBY FISCHER? Once the world's best chess player--the
international master who took on Boris Spassky--he is now a strange
and disturbing presence living far, far away. You will find this
article, from the current Atlantic Monthly, as compelling
as it is disturbing.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
O KING, LIVE FOREVER. Or at least live longer. They are working
on developing a "methuselah" pill. Is it going to be possible--and
if so would it be desirable? How could the social security system
survive a nation of centenarians? From the scientific perspective,
this article is must reading. From the human perspective--don't
get your hopes up quite yet.
http://www.sciam.com/
MOZART'S JUPITER SYMPHONY. One of Mozart's "darker" symphonies
is performed here with great precision and strong coloring.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
November 18, 2002:
A STRONG VOICE FROM THE SOUTH. Paul Greenberg
is the Editorial Director of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Here he takes on some of the critics of the "regime change" for
Iraq policy.
http://www.townhall.com/
A SEVERE VIEW OF MODERN ISLAM AND ITS FAILINGS. This historical
essay is an elegant attempt--though not neccesarily a correct
one--to account for the emergence of radical and militant modern
Islamicism.
http://www.newcriterion.com/
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF DECRYPTING. An enticing review of a scholarly
work about how modern nations began to break each other's secret
codes. Remember that NSA has a hidden budget that is larger than
the hidden budget of the CIA!
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/
AND SPEAKING OF SPIES. Here is the lowdown on Chicago's own Robert
Hanssen, considered by many to have been the worst double agent
who ever betrayed American operatives to the Soviets.
http://www.nytimes.com/
A FOUNDING SON PASSES. Abba Eban was a young protege of David
Ben Gurion when Israel was founded. He served brilliantly as Ambassador
to the U.N. and then as Foreign Minister. He appeared on Extension
720 a number of times--the last one by phone as he spoke to us
from a bomb shelter in Tel Aviv as the Iraqi Scuds were falling
upon the city. To listen to Eban's appearance on this program
in 1974, click here.
It is available on our "Three
Decades Retrospective" in the Audio
Archive.
http://www.jta.org/
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS DON'T STARVE. Nor do their faculties--but
the discrepancy between the two levels is apparently growing.
It is interesting to learn that Judith Rodin, who once appeared
on our program pushing a rather slight book on how to reduce (weight,
not budgets), earns the very largest Univesrity President salary.
She was once an asistant professor of social psychology at Yale!
http://www.nytimes.com/
WILL THE REAL MARGARET TRUMAN PLEASE STAND UP? This article from
the current Weekly Standard may be the solution to the
mystery that has long beclouded the mystery novels of Margaret
Truman. Fascinating!
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
REMEMBER GLEN CAMPBELL? A fine American singer is represented
here with some of his best performances. Be sure to hear 'By The
Time I Get To Phoenix' and 'Wichita Lineman'.
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 15, 2002:
WHAT ABOUT THE NEW "BIN LADEN TAPE"? Judith
Miller of the New York Times is one of the best informed specialists
on Middle East affairs--and has been on the program a few times.
Here is her account of high-level interpretations of the new Bin
Laden public performance.
http://www.nytimes.com/
IRAQ "ACCEPTS" THE U.N. RESOLUTION. Really? You will want to read
the foreign minister's letter to Kofi Annan. Here it is in all
its ambiguity and confabulatory wierdness.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
THE END OF HISTORY? WELL, NOT QUITE. Francis Fukayama, who once
proclaimed the end of history, has adapted to the explosive events
of recent years. But he still manages to theorize in an interesting
way.
http://www.cis.org.au/
THE GAMBLER'S FALLACY. Do you know about Kahneman and Twersky?
Two of the most innovative and important psychologists of this
century...and they might help you understand probability (i.e."odds")
in gambling and in sports performance and in all of the rest of
life's ambiguous situations.
http://www.boston.com/
THE WOUNDED PROFESSOR! Fred Crews, a sometime guest on Extension
720, a distinguished literary scholar has had it with post-modernism.
He so testifies in his wonderful book, Postmodern Pooh, and also
in this recent interview.
http://www.spiked-online.com/
THE BEST THEATRE CRITIC AROUND. That has long been our opinion
of Robert Brustein who writes regularly for The New Republic.
Here is his most recent appreciative essay: about Al Pacino as
the great actor he is.
http://www.thenewrepublic.com/
SAINT-SAENS: A FINE CHAMBER WORK FOR TRUMPET, PIANO AND STRINGS.
This piece delighted upon first hearing. The work notes say that
it was very popular at the time of its composition but it seems
to have been undeservedly forgotten.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
November 14, 2002:
THE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL THREAT. Jane's
is perhaps the best and most objective publication on security
affairs. Here they bluntly assess the possibility of Iraqi use
of biological and chemical weapons if attacked--a possibility
that George Tenet warned of a few weeks ago.
http://www.janes.com/
ANALYZING THE NEW STRATEGIC DOCTRINE. Last night, we discussed
some of the implications of the President's new National Security
Strategy with Charles Kupchan of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Just this morning, a rival think tank, Brookings, published their
own working paper on the new doctrine. Follow the links for the
full document and let us know what you think at extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.brook.edu/
HOMELAND
SECURITY. The Homeland Defense Bill has finally passed--but not
without reservations from both right and left. Is a secure homeland
even possible in a free society? David Carr doubts it. This piece
appeared in The Atlantic several months ago, but it has
continuing relevance.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
THE CHANGING FACE OF HISTORY. Anyone who has spent
time in a college history course in recent years knows the dominance
of cultural history in all its forms. The traditional disciplines
within the field have long since faded. Yet, as this column asserts,
biography continues to thrive. The reason: interesting lives will
always fascinate--and moreso as academic historians wallow in
the dreariness of "theory."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
THE CITY OF LIGHT. A book review from The Economist asks
why so many are drawn to Paris as the world's greatest city. Is
it indeed "The Capital of the World," at least in terms
of "culture"--or has its time long since past, leaving
only a beautiful destination for tourists?
http://www.economist.com/
MORE CLASSIC COUNTRY. Fine stuff from Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dean,
Ferlin Husky, various others from the sixties and--the best of
all--four songs by the wonderful Patsy Cline.
http://www.beau-dacious.addr.com/
November 13, 2002:
ON TO THE INSPECTORS. Saddam agreed today to
abide by the UN Security Resolution--in principle. Now we'll see
what the inspectors turn up. This piece from The New York Times
describes how the new arms inspectors will go about their tasks,
even if the world remains skeptical of their ability to see everything.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE TURKISH EXPERIMENT. What might future democracy in Islamic
states resemble? The best guess is the kind of democracy we now
see in Turkey, a close U.S. ally. The army still holds an extremely
powerful role in its society and coups are not rare, but there
is some semblance of government "by the people." David
Remnick is editor of The New Yorker and a fantastic writer,
and he discusses the Turkish model here.
http://www.newyorker.com/
THE END OF THE AMERICAN ERA? Charles Kupchan thinks so, as he
predicts an impending clash between the U.S. and Europe in this
article from The Atlantic. Kupchan, who served on the National
Security Council, will offer his argument in much further detail
tonight on Extension 720 during our second hour, beginning at
10:00pm.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
STILL PIPING UP. Dan Pipes will not relent in his critical scrutiny
of the opinions expressed--and often taught--by leftist American
academics. We share his concern and indignation...BUT his suggestions
for bringing radical academics under control --as given in his
last two paragraphs--strike us as ill-conceived and probably violative
of first amendment rights. Your opinion would be welcome and would
be published here. E-mail to: extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.nypost.com/
HUMOR AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM. This is an entirely serious article
from the Boston Globe that examines the question of humor
as it reflects a given society, culture, or movement, and warns,
glumly, that those who take themselves too seriously are bound
to create trouble.
http://www.boston.com/
THE KING OF REGGAE. Many of Bob Marley's best-known favorites
are included on this great site, including 'No Woman No Cry' and
'I Shot the Sheriff.'
Try some of the less popular ones, though--they're just as good.
http://www.heavensaudio.freeservers.com/
November 12, 2002:
THE BAGHDAD FOLLIES. The parliament says "no,"
the number one son says "yes." What will Big Daddy say--and what
game is he playing now? This article from today's Washington
Post seems as sharp as anything we have read in today's press.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
A CURIOUS CONTEMPLATION OF 9/11 AND THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE. Did
you know that Mohammed Atta was an architect and city planner?
This startling essay takes off from there.
http://www.crosscurrents.org/
OUR FRIEND ALEXIS...de Tocqueville, that is. You have probably
read Democracy In America; now read the rest of the story! This
review of a new biographical study of Tocqueville makes me want
to get my hands on the book and actually read it. It might have
the same effect on you.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/
THE MASTER OF NONSENSE. Long before Dr. Seuss there was Edward
Lear. The author of the Owl and the Pussycat, he lived an odd
Victorian life and probably advanced--as much as he set back--the
special art of the Limerick. Read on and meet an oddly delightful
figure.
http://www.fathom.com/
DOES THE TAXI DRIVER KNOW HOW TO GET THERE? The problem seems
to be universal--as witness this article from a New Zealand newspaper.
Is there a comparable niche waiting to be filled in Chicago?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
FROM THE BLOGGERS. This begins a new sub-series in which we will
occasionally link you to a rant by an independent blogger. This
one, about the somnolence-inducing pretentions of PBS, seems to
be not completely mistaken.
http://www.2blowhards.com/
MUSSORGSKY IN A MORBID MOOD. Possibly the greatest 19th century
Russian composer, Mussorgsky here addresses DEATH! There are intimations
in these superb songs of his great opera Boris Gudanov.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
November 11, 2002:
THE (OSTENSIBLY) FINAL WAR PLAN. Who leaks
to the Times and why? And should the Times be printing
such material? Despite the pertinence of such questions, this
article from yesterday's paper is inevitably important reading.
http://www.nytimes.com/
A DEVASTATING VIEW OF IRAQ (AND OF GERMANY) BY A GERMAN OBSERVER.
This interview appeared over the weekend in Ha'Aretz, one of the
main Israeli newspapers. It conveys deeply disturbing views about
BOTH countries.
http://www.haaretzdaily.com/
WHAT PRICE DISSENT? In Iran some independence of thought along
reformist lines is, apparantly, enough to get you murdered by
the government. This shocking story should be the answer to those
who contend that Iran (the major sponsor of Hizbollah!) is moving
toward democracy.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/
QUANTUM MECHANICS BEGETS QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE. Here's something
really at the frontier of modern science. The author has the gift
of making difficult physical theory comprehensible--or else he
is good at creating the illusion of comprehension. Either way,
this article is well worth the effort of a close reading.
http://www.sciam.com/
POSSIBLY THE BEST CONTEMPORARY BRITISH NOVELIST. That is the judgement
that many have formed about David Lodge--and it is the view of
the proprietor of this file as well. Here is a fine review of
his most recent book and a broader account of his earlier work
and career. Anyone who has ever toiled in universities should
read his novels "Changing Places" and "Small World."
http://chronicle.com/
ANOTHER PLAGIARIZED HISTORICAL WORK? Having dispatched Doris Kearns
Goodwin, Stephen Ambrose and others, the plagiarism police have
now discovered--or rediscovered--that H.G. Wells was also guilty.
A curious affair! What do you think?
http://www.salon.com/
AN UNUSUAL RESTAURANT! This is from the official NASA webite:
all your questions about dining in space are answered here. And
some great photos and a video round out the presentation. Where
would you rather have dinner tonight: on the space shuttle or
at Brasserie Jo?
http://lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/
VERY LATE LOUIS! In his last years Louis Armstrong sang more than
he played--and was accompanied by undistinguished bands doing
pop arrangements. STILL...his superb musicality shone through.
Here is a collection of those recordings including his great version
of Mack The Knife.
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 8, 2002:
A UNANIMOUS VOTE. The UN Security Council approved
a resolution on Iraq this morning by a vote of 15-0. The details
on just what this means, from The New York Times...
http://www.nytimes.com/
DEFEATING ANTI-AMERICANISM. Roger Kimball of The New Criterion
is a friend of the show and occasional guest. In his latest column,
he addresses the anti-American sentiment that lingers throughout
the rest of the world and offers a simple antidote: strength.
http://www.newcriterion.com/
THE ROOTS OF TERROR. Far Eastern Economic Review is an
important publication appearing for the first time in our File.
Given the recent bombing in Bali and the general state of upheaval
that often permeates South and Southeast Asia, this is a timely
article on the motivations of many younger Asian converts to Islam.
http://www.feer.com/
MORE BARK THAN BITE. The mildly feared protests have, so far at
least, been uneventful, as the Sun Times points out here.
If you had been in front of the Tribune Tower at about 6:30pm
yesterday, though, you'd have seen just how seriously the city
was taking the threat. Not even the heartiest anarchist would
have charged the police line that straddled Michigan Ave.!
http://www.suntimes.com/
THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS. It has often been wondered if money
can make one happy. This curious article from The New Yorker
wonders whether happiness can make one wealthier. The scientific
experiment revealed is particularly amusing.
http://www.newyorker.com/
DUKE ELLINGTON, IN ALL HIS GLORY! Some of his trademarks classics,
and some quite different versions of less traditional Ellington
material, like 'Mack the Knife' and 'Pretty Woman.'
http://www.geocities.com/
November 7, 2002:
TINA BROWN ON THE AMERICAN ELECTION. Remember
her? The British ex-pat who edited Vanity Fair, then edited
The New Yorker and then some other magazine that failed.
Here is her "with it" dispatch to the London Times explaining
it all to British readers.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
HOW CAN THE SPOOKS HELP? A central question in these days of "war
on terrorism" concerns the uses and the techniques of "intelligence"
and the ways in which they will have to change. This important
article addresses those and related questions. The author holds
a very important post. He is Director of the Policy Planning Staff
at the State Department.
http://www.cia.gov/
THE CAMPUS WATCH FLAP. Our old friend Dan Pipes is in the middle
of this one. This thoroughgoing account of the controversy is
from Reason magazine. You will learn a lot about contemporary
American university life if you follow some of the links provided
in this excellent article.
http://www.reason.com/
HAS GORE VIDAL GONE ALMOST MAD? Ron Rosenbaum seems to think so
and with good reason. Both Rosenbaum and Vidal have been guests
on Extension 720. One of them is still welcome anytime he's in
town.
http://www.observer.com/
GOD FOR THE GODLESS? Here is a thoughtful review of a quite important
new book. The question of whether individual life and social collectivity
can be sustained without some representation of the transcendent
was vividly raised by William James. And it is now once again
adressed by Charles Taylor and his reviewer.
http://www-polisci.mit.edu/
A WONDERFUL COINCIDENCE. Just as the last entry is a book that
reexamines the territory covered in William James's classic work,
The Varieties of Religious Experience, here is a new story
by John Updike with the same title. Since Updike is one of the
best and most readable of American writers, we couldn't resist
putting this up for you to print out.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
A FINE PERFORMANCE OF A TREASURED WORK. Actually, we have here
three seperate performances of Brahms' Clarinet/Cello/Piano Trio.
The best of the three, in our judgement, is the one performed
by Collins, Harrell and Mulligan.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
November 6, 2002:
YESTERDAY'S VICTORY AND TOMORROW'S WAR? This
AP survey reports that Arab "experts" see Bush strengthened to
pursue his militant program to get "regime change" in Iraq.
http://www.jpost.com/
AN
OVERVIEW OF THE ELECTION RESULTS AND THEIR MEANING. Fred Barnes
of the Weekly Standard is a sharp, veteran observer of
American politics. His summary story from this morning is both
intelligent and non-hypey.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
IS BLAGO LISTENING? A wise memo to the newly elected
governors appears in today's Wall Street Journal. Here
it is.
http://online.wsj.com/
YESTERDAY'S ELECTION RESULTS AND THE "BLACK VOTE." A leading black
commentator opines that the African American vote is shifting
away from absolute loyalty to Democratic candidates.
http://www.townhall.com/
SOME ADVICE FOR ISLAM. James Q. Wilson is one of the most respected
political scientists in the western world. His thoughtful essay
examines the possibility of corrective, freedom-fostering reform
within Islam. This important contribution is sure to arouse much
further commentary.
http://www.city-journal.org/
A VIEW OF FOOD FADS FROM DOWN UNDER. This amusing article from
the Sydney Morning Herald is more than merely amusing.
It pins some of the ridiculous affectations pushed by media "foodies"
at the cost of leaving us underfed and not particularly healthier.
http://www.smh.com.au/
THE KING OF SWING. Was there anything better than Benny Goodman
in the music of the 40s, 50's and 60's? If so, we can't think
of it. Here are a number of the great Goodman band performances.
Don't miss: One O'Clock Jump; Honeysuckle Rose; Don't Be That
Way.
http://community-2.webtv.net/
November 5, 2002:
ELECTION DAY...here and, in a few months, Israel.
Sharon today called for new elections, in part a bow to Benjamin
Netanyahu. Regardless of what happens, a new Israeli administration
could have far-reaching consequences on any number of issues in
American foreign policy.
http://www.nytimes.com/
FRANCE AND IRAQ. French obstruction of U.S. initiatives is nothing
new in recent history, but it has been especially pronounced during
debates over Iraq in the UN Security Council. What motivates them?
According to Robert Kagan in The Washington Post, anti-American
jealousy and general stubbornness; according to Justin Vaisse
of the Brookings Institution, national interest and rational calculation
about possible war that reflects much of world opinion. Who's
right? Read both pieces and let us know at extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
http://www.brookings.edu/
THE DUSTBIN OF HISTORY. Foreign Policy magazine is a leading
publication on international politics. This month, they are beginning
a series on the ideas that, in the words of Trotsky, ended up
on "the dustbin of history." The first analyzes Trotsky's
own failed enterprise of Marxism and is written by Joshua Muravchik,
who appeared with us last fall to discuss the rise and fall of
socialism.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/
ANALYZING DANIEL ELLSBERG. The man who leaked the Pentagon Papers
was with us last Friday. And last week, we included on these pages
a quite favorable article on Ellsberg from The
New Yorker. Here is somewhat of a counterpoint, from the
pages of Commentary, that questions his larger motives
that continue to this day.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/
GOLDHAGEN AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Daniel Jonah Goldhagen became
one of the most controversial names in historical research when
'Hitler's Willing Executioners' appeared in 1995. Now, he's shifted
his focus to the Catholic Church during the Nazi Years. He will
join us on Extension 720 on Wednesday night, along with Doris
Bergen of the University of Notre Dame. This early review, from
First Things, a Catholic publication, is not complimentary,
but we'll be able to discuss the issues in full tomorrow.
http://www.firstthings.com/
IT'S ELECTION DAY! And what better time to enjoy some of our great
patriotic favorites, from Sousa to the Star Spangled Banner. Here
are many classic songs from throughout our history.
http://www.geocities.com/
November 4, 2002:
MUHAMMAD AND MALVO: GETTING TO KNOW THEM. There
is much that still needs to be unravelled but this story from
yesterday's New York Times does convey how close and how
strange a relationship it was.
http://www.nytimes.com/
WOOLSEY ON THE PRESENT WAR. The former director of the CIA delivered
a significant address recently in which he examined the makeup
of the enemy in the current "war on terror." Here is a fairly
detailed summary of Woolsey's comments.
http://www.fpri.org/
TOUGH TALK FROM THE NATIONAL REVIEW. Goldberg, one of their senior
editors, is emerging as an outspoken advocate of the "hard line"
on Iraq and other matters. This column in not any more understated
than his others. How do you respond to his agruments and his style?
E-mail welcome for publication at
extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
OUR MOST RECENT NOBEL LAUREATE. Various Extension 720 guests have
won the Nobel Prize..and the most recent is V.S. Naipaul. Here,
from the Hudson Review is a revealing and appreciative
article about this rather difficult master of contemporary letters.
http://www.hudsonreview.com/
THE GREAT SOKAL HOAX. A few years ago a delightful hoax was pulled
off and it was thereby demonstrated that post-modern intellectuals
don't know very much about anything, though they do tend to pontificate
about everything. Alan Sokal, the hoaxer, then revealed all in
this article and went on to interpret what his succesful imposture
signified about modern "cultural studies."
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/
WHICH ONE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE MORE OF? The NY Times
invited a few writers to start a new Godfather novel. I would
vote for Chris Buckley's contribution. How about you? And, for
that matter, would you like to try your hand at yet another opening
of Godfather IV? If so, send it along and we may post it.
http://www.nytimes.com/
A GREAT GREEK TENOR DOES OPERETTA BY LEHAR. This is great stuff.
Don't miss Terzakis's performance of "Dein is mein ganzes Herz."
In fact, do listen to all the selections.
http://www.terzakis.com/
November 1, 2002:
SABATO SPEAKS. Larry Sabato (a sometime guest
on Extension 720) is the best respected political prognosticator
in the University world. Here are his final predictions for next
week's national elections.
http://www.centerforpolitics.org/
WHAT, THEN IS MEANT BY "JIHAD." This is a question of more than
mere scholarly interest. The Islamist radicals say they are engaged
in Jihad--but some American professors say that the word itself
has almost benign meaning. Dan Pipes pipes up on this one in a
quite persuasive way.
http://www.danielpipes.org/
DARWIN ON THE PROBLEMS WITH DARWINISM. Our recent program on evolutionary
theory examined some of the common "yes but" objections. Most
of those were anticipated by Darwin in his original work, Origin
of Species. Here is one delightfully readable chapter in which
he deals with the "deficiencies" of his own theory.
http://www.bartelby.com/
WHAT'S REALLY WRONG WITH OUR SCHOOLS? This article is by one of
the foremost critics of the deficiencies of contemporary approaches
in American public education. Hirsch is also the originator of
the concept of "cultural literacy" and has been a guest on Extension
720 more than once.
http://www.policyreview.org/
A SPECIAL KIND OF MULTICULTURALISM. The Germans have become entranced
by Yiddish, the language of the East European Jews that the Nazis
murdered by the millions. Here is the latest devlopment in their
enthusiasm for things Yiddish. It is, to say the least, a social
phenomenon that needs explaining.
http://www.jta.org/
A LOCAL HERO--AND HATS OFF TO THE SUN-TIMES FOR FEATURING THIS
STORY. Dorsey is right and the CTA (nit for the first time) is
wrong.We recently took a ride on a rather disgusting bus. Maybe
it was the same one.
http://www.suntimes.com/
SOME GREAT SONGS AND PERFORMANCES FROM A VERY DIFFERENT TIME.
Be sure to listen to all the Crosby numbers--and the Mills Brothers
and Duke Ellington and Fred Astaire and Connie Boswell and, and,
and etc.
http://www.geocities.com/
Archive of Milt's File:
