MILT'S
FILE
JANUARY
2003
January
31, 2003:
WINSTON AND FDR REDUX? The meetings
between Blair and Bush are not, we think, to the level of those
between Churchill and Roosevelt. But this piece from today's Washington
Post does provide some valuable insight into the Anglo-American
relationship and today's important meetings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
GEN. TRAINOR ON A SECOND GULF WAR. Bernard Trainor appeared with
us a few years back to discuss his book on the 1991 war. Now,
in an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations, he weighs
on on the looming conflict with Iraq--and predicts war by mid-March
and a rapid victory.
http://www.cfr.org/
CAPITALISM vs. TERRORISM? Hernando de Soto is a little-known but
extremely influential economist whose previous analysis of the
political-economic struggle in Peru helped to defeat the communist
Shining Path. Now, he feels that the key to defeating terrorism
lies, as before, in the triumph of capitalism. This portrait from
The Economist provides an excellent summary of his views.
http://www.economist.com/
THE REVISED STATE OF THE UNION. An interesting exercise here:
James Fallows, a former presidential speechwriter and regular
contributor to The Atlantic, takes a second look at the
State of the Union address and suggests changes, many of which
make a lot of sense. What might you add? Let us know at:
extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
CLASSIC TNR! 'Citizen Kane' is universally considered one of the
greatest films of all time. But not always, as this review from
The New Republic indicates. It originallly appeared in
that publication in June 1941!
http://www.tnr.com/
MORE MOZART! His Symphony No. 38 in D K504, "Prague",
beautifully performed in Austria a few years back by the Austro-Hungarian
Hadyn Philharmonic.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
January 30, 2003:
SEVEN EUROPEAN PRIME MINISTERS AND ONE
PRESIDENT STAND WITH BUSH! This statement signed by those dignitaries
appears today in the Times of London.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
WHAT DO WE KNOW AND WHEN DID WE LEARN IT? The fog is beginning
to lift revealing our intelligence data on Iraq's possesion and
disposition of WMDs. The story is from today's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
IS IT RUMSFELD? Whoever this "senior administration official"
is, he is laying out a message to Iraq. It is that Saddam (and,
one hopes, all of his regime) must go and go quickly or the war
will be launched soon and with ferocity.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
ANOTHER CAUSE OF THE DECLINE OF QUALITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION. What?
Teacher evaluations by students! Read on. The article is somewhat
lengthy but one of the best exposes we have seen on another aspect
of the messing up of the institutions of "higher learning."
http://www.stat.duke.edu/
WHAT A DISGUSTIN' DEVELOPMENT DIS IS! That's what Jimmy Durante
used to say at appropriate moments. This is such a moment as we
learn who is the latest aspirant for the U.S. Senate.
http://www.townhall.com/
THE REAL MEANING OF "JOE MILLIONAIRE." Popular culture
usually has a few levels of meaning. Here is an attempt--and a
persuasive one at that--to decode what is really being conveyed
by this season's prime example of "reality" schlock.
http://www.thenewrepublic.com/
EARLY ELLINGTON. In the mid-twenties Duke Ellington led his first
succesful band. Here is a generous selection of their recordings.
Especially noteworthy are: Tishimongo Blues, East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
and Take It Easy.
http://redhotjazz.com/
January 29, 2003:
THE TEXT OF THE STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH.
Here is the full speech as printed in the Guardian, one
of the U.K.'s leading newspapers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
ABOUT IRAQ: THE NEXT STEPS. This article from today's Washingtpn
Post starts with a pro-forma speculation but then goes on
to report what the immediate next steps will be as we get ready
to start the war.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
A LEADING HISTORIAN CHIMES IN.
John Keegan is widely considered to be the world's leading popular
military historian--and he also comments frequently on world affairs.
Here he addresses the current political situation in Britain and
calls for Tony Blair to hang tough.
http://www.portal.telegraph.co.uk/
THE WEEKLY STANDARD SAYS "IT'S WAR." This article is
by the publisher of the magazine that has been calling for "regime
change" in Iraq for the last year. Worth noting: The
Weekly Standard is generally considered a major voice for
"neoconservatism."
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
INVESTIGATING LEONARDO. Not DiCaprio...DaVinci! His techniques
as well as his personality remain veiled. This interesting report
on the continuing investigations is from Art News.
http://www.artnewsonline.com/
MMN, MMN, GOOD! One of the best articles on the subject of happy
eating is this interview with Corby Kummer of The Atlantic
magazine.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK. Probably
Mozart's best known chamber work, it is represented here by two
separate performances. The first is in the original scoring for
string quartet; the second is a rousing version for chamber orchestra.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
January 28, 2003:
THE BLIX REPORT. Here is the full text
of the report he gave to the UN Security Council yesterday. It
is well worth close perusal.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
THE INEVITABILITY OF A BIOTERRORIST ATTACK. A troubling story
from Davos. The source is Tommy Thompson, the U.S. Secretary of
Health and Human Services.
http://ft.news.com/
REAGAN'S SPEECHWRITER ADVISES BUSH. Here is what Peggy Noonan
thinks the president ought to say tonight: and what he ought to
do as he goes forward on Iraq.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/
SADDAM'S KILLING MACHINE. As the evidence comes in one does begin
to wonder whether Saddam is a certifiable psychotic. Clearly he
is, at least, a sadistic murderer who has cowed a nation--just
like his idol, Stalin.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE REAL MARTHA STEWART? We don't care how much her perfection
grates--and we don't care how rich she is--we like Martha Stewart.
Particularly when all the world has landed on her. Thus, Toobin's
piece in the current New Yorker is of great interest--and
it is bound to surprise you.
http://www.newyorker.com/
HOW THE SOVIETS GOT THE MISSILES INTO CUBA. Another "now
it can be told" story from the official scholarly journal
of the Central Intelligence Agency. This one reveals that the
Soviets went to great lengths to keep it all secret and disguised
and that we virtually blundered onto the discovery of the missile
sites.
http://www.cia.gov/
ANOTHER CONCERT FROM ISRAEL. Corelli, Mozart and Schubert are
superbly rendered in this recent performance in Tel Aviv.
http://www.jmc.co.il/
January 27, 2003:
"SHOCK AND AWE" IN THE FIRST
PHASE OF THE IRAQ WAR. This article is from a leading Australian
paper. They do seem to have received a "privileged briefing"
on the war plan that is now ready to go.
http://www.smh.com.au/
CIA IN IRAQ NOW! This well-detailed article from Time
reveals that the CIA has been active on the ground in Iraq and
tells what they have been doing there.
http://www.time.com/
THE TIMES ENDORSES WAR (SORT OF). This appeared on Saturday and
was written by one of the leading people at the paper.
http://www.nytimes.com/
A VISIT TO NORTH KOREA. This fascinating account has just appeared
in the New York Review of Books.
http://www.nybooks.com/
PETE HAMILL REMEMBERS BOB FOSSE. Hamill, who will be with us on
the program this Friday, is a great memoirist. Here, prompted
by the film "Chicago," he remembers the theatrical genius,
Bob Fosse.
http://www.nydailynews.com/
FOR A GOOD MEAL GO 40 FATHOMS DOWN. This is the best "restaurant
story" we have come upon in a long time. Apparantly the slogan
could be: Join the submarine navy and watch your waistline.
http://www.latimes.com/
A GERMAN WITH THE FRENCH AT YORKTOWN. This eyewitness account
of the battle of Yorktown has a gripping authenticity about it.
We happened upon it while searching for something else--and thought
that it was bound to be of interest to our listener-readers.
http://history.about.com/
A CONCERT FROM ISRAEL. The Arcadia Ensemble (four young Israelis)
in a fine performance of baroque vocal music. The introductory
comments (mercifully brief) are in Hebrew. Just link on "real
audio."
http://www.jmc.co.il/
January
24, 2003:
THE
MAJOR COLUMNAR HAWK SPEAKS. Krauthammer is, we think, the best
informed and most adamant of the journalists who favor war against
Saddam Hussein. Here is his latest from today's Washington
Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
LEON KASS ON THE CLONING DANGER. A frequent guest on our program,
Dr. Leon Kass has been serving as the Chairman of the President's
Council on Bioethics. This important piece by him appeared in
today's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE GREAT FALLACI. We met her many years ago on the program. Then
she disappeared for about a decade--only to reappear after 9/11.
Here's a great story about her from the New York Observer.
http://www.nyobserver.com/
MORE ON THE "PEACE MARCH." Mona Charen adds some details
on the organization (run by Stalinists) behind last weekend's
marches.
http://www.townhall.com/
IS THE UNIVERSE POINTLESS? Some scientists say that it is, but
this Australian observer disagrees. The question will arise tonight
in our discussion of recent astrophysical and cosmological theorizing.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
A GREAT AMERICAN SINGER. Rosa Ponselle was the queen of the Metroplitan
Opera in an earlier age. She still sounds wonderful in these vintage
recordings.
http://www.rosaponselle.com/
January 23, 2003:
GEORGE WILL IN HIGH DUDGEON! You may
not always agree with him but our most literate political columnist
is capable of strong feeling backed by detailed argument--as witness
this piece from today's Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
AN IMPORTANT
STATEMENT FROM CONDOLEEZA RICE. This appeared as an op-ed piece
in today's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THEY WERE MARCHING WITH STALINISTS...but the New York
Times and the Washington Post and all the TV News
organizations failed to report it. Michael Kelly in yesterday's
Post finally gave that paper a proper purchase on the
whole story. This is a "must read" item.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IN VENEZUELA? Our friend, Thor Halvorssen,
the Executive Director of FIRE (www.thefire.org)
is, as his name does not suggest, a native Venezuelan. He has
just returned from an extended visit and here is his report from
the new issue of The Weekly Standard.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM AT AMERICA'S UNIVERSITIES? It is increasingly
the case says this report from the Christian Science Monitor.
Another thing to worry about--unless, that is, you favor the dumbing
down of higher education.
http://www.csmonitor.com/
A GREAT STRING BAND. The Red Clay Ramblers have been around for
a long time and are still doing country, bluegrass, gospel and
"soft rock" as well (or better) than any other ensemble.
Just scroll down for eleven fine selections.
http://www.efolkmusic.com/
January 22, 2003:
THE CHANGING TACTICS OF AL QUEDA. The
long awaited "other shoe" has, thankfully, still not
fallen. But what is al Queda up to? This column suggests that
the relative quiet in the last year may indicate that the terrorist
group may be changing tactics, with a new focus on assassination.
http://www.cnn.com/
PERILS OF GLOBALIZATION. We will be examining the myriad aspects
of globalization tomorrow (Thursday), with a skeptic from Yale
Law School and an advocate from the University of Chicago's Graduate
School of Business. An interesting article here, just out from
Foreign Policy magazine, looks at a few of the problem
areas impacted by international trade and the spread of free market
ideology.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/
MORE FROM CANNADINE! We had such a good time with David Cannadine
last week that another look at this great historian and his larger-than-life
subjects was merited. This interview article is especially notable
for its insights into Cannadine's methodology.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
ANALYZING ORWELL. Fifty-three years after his death, the author
of Animal Farm and 1984 continues to fascinate.
New books on George Orwell continue to thrive--but who was this
man? Louis Menand tries to sort through some of the myths in this
week's New Yorker.
http://www.newyorker.com/
THE MURDER OF BONAPARTE? The death of the great exiled emporer
has long fascinated historians. Recently, it seemed that speculation
of murder had been discredited--but the conspiracy buffs will
not go away. Among them is perhaps the dean of all Napoleonic
scholars: David Chandler, author of The Campaigns of Napoleon.
An interesting article on the latest theories.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
THE GREAT OPERATIC BARITONES. Sherrill Milnes, our guest last
evening, is among those featured on this excellent site. Scroll
down to hear three selections from his great career, including
pieces from Carmen and La Traviata.
http://www.radix.net/
January 21, 2003:
THE PORTLAND ANTI-WAR PROTEST. This is from the
world of the bloggers, one of whom gives a report here of a day
spent with the protesters. That they were organized by a Maoist
outfit (not only in Portland but in Washington!) seems to have
escaped the attention of the American press.
http://www.instapundit.com/
HAVE THE FEMINISTS FORGOTTEN THEIR ISLAMIC SISTERS? So says Kay
Hymowitz in this strong article from the current issue of The
City Journal.
http://www.city-journal.org/
THE GREAT (AND GREATLY FLAWED) MENCKEN. Russell Baker met Mencken
on his first day as a cub at the Baltimore Sun--as he
told us some years ago on Extension 720. Now he gives his judgement
of that great figure in American journalism in this review-essay
from the New York Review of Books.
http://www.nybooks.com/
PAULIN THE POLITICAL POET, cont'd. Here's a rather vivid analysis
of the mind and the poetry of Tom Paulin, the Irish-British poet
who is still on an anti-Israeli tear in verse and otherwise.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
A LESS THAN MERRY MERIWETHER LEWIS. The author of a new "novel"
about Lewis and Clark paints a startling picture of the real Meriwether
Lewis in this article from today's New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
PUCCINI AND THE ENTHUSIASM FOR OPERA. An interesting and appreciative
article about the most performed of opera composers. And tonight
on Extension 720 the greatest Baron Scarpia (from Tosca as you
may remember) in modern operatic performance: Sherrill Milnes.
And we will play some of his great recordings!
http://chronicle.com/
GREAT RUSSIAN MUSIC! Scroll down to the bottom and you will find
some superb performances by singers of the Soviet era. The arias
are from the operas of Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov and
Musorgsky. Be sure to listen to Gremin's Aria as sung by Mark
Reizen.
http://www.russia-in-us.com/
January 20, 2003:
THE CRUCIAL STORY OF THE MOMENT. This is a possible
way out of the Iraqi impasse without war. But it becomes feasible
only because we have built up an invasion force in place and ready
to go.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE FACE OF THE FUTURE WAR? This article from the new issue of
Time provides a preview (apparently "well-sourced")
of how the war against Saddam's regime will be fought--if it is
fought at all.
http://www.time.com/
BURUMA AMBIVILATES (OUR WORD) ON IRAQ. Ian Baruma has spent a
lot of time in--and writing about--the Middle East, twice in appearances
on Extension 720. Can you figure out where he stands on "war
or no war?"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
PINKERTON ON FRUM ON BUSH. A former White House aide to Bush I
reviews the book by our recent guest, David Frum (former White
House aide to Bush II), about the current president. The review
appeared yesterday in the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
SOPHISTRY, OBFUSCATION AND CHARLATANRY. These may be the best
nouns to classify the work of Jacques Derrida. Nevertheless he
has been taken as gospel by vast numbers of American intellectuals.
Read all about it--here.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
THE BLOGS ARE TAKING OVER! It is not a science fiction film. It
is the newest strange turn taken in the evolution of electronic
culture--and if you don't know about it this article from "Wired"
will get you started.
http://www.spiked-online.com/
STILL EATING (ENTHUSIASTICALLY) AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. Calvin
Trillin of the New Yorker has always written evocatively
about food--or, rather about enjoying food. And he has often shared
his views with us on Extension 720. Here is his latest exploration
in gourmandise.
http://www.newyorker.com/
HAYDN'S CREATION IN A GREAT NEW RECORDING. Well, fairly new--recorded
at the Brighton Festival only two years ago and conducted by Mackerras.
This is an exceptionally moving performance.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
January 17, 2003:
DEALING WITH THE NORTH KOREANS. The "second
crisis" remains unresolved. Another excellent panel at the
Brookings Institution recently debated our options in dealing
with a nuclear-armed North Korea. The transcript is on the longer
side, but well worth pondering. (.pdf document)
http://www.brookings.edu/
THE FUTURE OF IRAN. And what of the third member of the "Axis
of Evil"? The Economist this week has an important
survey of politics and culture in Iran. Here is the lead article,
an excellent summary of the two competing forces at work in a
still very turbulent society.
http://www.economist.com/
WHAT HAPPENED TO THIS GUY? Remember when Qaddafi was a feared
leader, one of our hated enemies? Now, he seems at best an afterthought,
at worst a joke. But he's still around. An interesting article
from the forthcoming New York Times Magazine reveals
just what Qaddafi has been up to since his fifteen minutes of
(in)fame.
http://www.nytimes.com/
IT'S (NOT) THE ECONOMY, STUPID. An excellent article, circa 1993,
from a leading economist dispels the notion that presidents can
exert great control over the economy--even if this fact will likely
never be absorbed by the American electorate.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
A BRIT ANALYZES THE BRITS. Christopher Hitchens is no stranger
to these pages--and here he reviews, with enthusiasm, David Cannadine's
recent book of essays on Winston Churchill, modern Britain, and
more. Look for our recent program with Cannadine on the Audio
Archive in the near future.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
MORE RED HOT JAZZ! "Cow Cow" Davenport, born in 1894,
spent much of his career in Chicago after being kicked out of
an Alabama Theological Seminary in 1911. Check out some of these
rareties, including the Chicago-themed "State Street Jive".
http://www.redhotjazz.com/
January 16, 2003:
A BREAKING STORY FROM IRAQ. Has the U.N. team
turned up evidence of WMDs?
http://fullcoverage.yahoo.com/
THE PRISON REVIEW BOARD REVIEWS RYAN'S ACTION. This story from
the Saint Louis Post Dispatch reveals some disturbing
things about how Ryan ignored the advice of the Illinois Prisoner
Review Board.
http://www.stltoday.com/
McWHORTER ON BEING BLACK IN AMERICA NOW. This author of a widely-acclaimed
book will be our guest on Extension 720 on the night of Monday,
February 3. Meanwhile, here is an interesting interview with him
from Salon.
http://www.salon.com/
GUNS, BLACKS AND MICHAEL MOORE. Columnist Larry Elder is right
on the case in this strong column published today.
http://www.townhall.com/
BEYOND "FEMINISM." The author, Cathy Young of the Boston
Globe, reports on her adventures in teaching a course on
the "mythology" of modern feminism. Your reactions to
her ideas would be welcome at:
extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.reason.com/
DOES MOZART IMPROVE MILK YIELDS FROM GUERNSEY COWS? This charming
article from the U.K. Guardian puts that and similar
questions in their proper place.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
THE NIGERIAN LETTER SCAM. We talked about this on the program
last Monday. Here is a full report on this omnipresent spam-scam.
Caveat Emptor!
http://www.truthorfiction.com/
A TREASURE TROVE OF MODERN ARABIC MUSIC. The featured artist is
Farid el Atrache who, for many years, was one of the leading musical
stars in the Middle East.
http://www.farid-el-atrache.com/
January 15, 2003:
MCCAIN GOES AFTER BUSH ON THE NORTH KOREA POLICY.
This article by the senator from Arizona is as strong a critique
of the president on this issue as has so far been leveled. And
it comes from the man who, according to some "experts,"
could get the Democratic presidential nomination if he changed
parties.
http://weeklystandard.com/
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NORTH KOREA? More advice--this time from one
of the country's leading international security scholars.
http://www.townhall.com/
IN THE NORTH THE KURDS, IN THE SOUTH THE SHIA. This article from
yesterday's New York Times examines the prospects for
another revolt against Saddam by the Iraqi majority religious
group.
http://www.nytimes.com/
THE ANTI-SUV MOVEMENT GATHERS FORCE. Just today the National Safety
Council denounced them. A new book lays out the indictment and
this article from The New Republic discusses, and endorses,
that book.
http://www.tnr.com/
"AFFIRMATIVE ACCESS" RATHER THAN "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION."
The president is preparing to take sides against the University
of Michigan according to this article from today's Washington
Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
VIOLENT CRIME AND "CONCEALED CARRY." An American expert
argues that the answer to the growing violent crime rate in Britain
is permissive gun laws which have worked to reduce crime in various
American states and cities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
THE ETERNAL SHAKESPEARE. This fine essay argues--and proves--Shakespeare's
eternal relevance. Dalrymple appeared on Extension 720 early last
year.
http://www.city-journal.org/
WHEN STROM THURMOND WAS COMPARATIVELY YOUNG. Lott unseated himself
when he endorsed--more than 50 years later--Thurmond's run for
the presidency as a Dixiecrat. Here is a scholarly view of the
rise and fall of that "political party."
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/
SMOKED SALMON OR LOX? The author of this article is a major figure
in New York publishing and also has a fine, nostalgic appreciation
for that city's Jewish Cuisine.
http://www.nytimes.com/
BEETHOVEN'S SIXTH SYMPHONY. The Pastoral Symphony is probably
the second most performed--after Beethoven's Fifth. Here is a
spirited version recorded about three years ago.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
January 14, 2003:
DAVID BRODER IS AMUSED OR WORRIED OR BOTH...by
the continuing expansion of federal programs and budgets despite
the management having changed. A well argued and evidenced article!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
TONY BUCKS THE BACK-BENCHERS. This is an inside-dopester story
from the leading Labour-leaning paper in Britain. And their inside-dope
is that Blair will not yield to the "Iraq revolt" within
his party. We'll see soon.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
THE AMBASSADOR OPINES ON MIDDLE EAST YOUTH. Hume Horan is one
of the few Americans with extensive experience in the modern Muslim
Arab nations. He served as our ambassador to Saudi Arabia and
the Sudan and has closely reflected on his observations of the
agitated young men of those countries.
http://www.meforum.org/
THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS, NOT WITH A BANG BUT A WHIMPER.
T.S. Eliot's lines never seemed more appropriate than in reaction
to this stunning story from the University of Washington.
http://boston.com/
AMERICA THE SUPER-SIZED. How did we become the fattest nation
in the world and "cui bono?" The answers are provided
in this most informative and troubling article from the N.Y. Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK ENGLISH AS SHAKESPEARE DID? Or, for that
matter, master the art of Shakespearean Insult? Here's a site
that you can follow in many different directions--all Elizabethan.
http://www.renfaire.com/
BLACK GOSPEL AT ITS HEIGHT! It flourished in Chicago and the Roberta
Martin Singers were among the best representatives of that great
tradition.
http://www.dovesong.com/
January 13, 2003:
IS THERE AN IRAQ? We knew that the north was essentially
an independent Kurdish state. Now we learn that a portion of the
north is under the control of a Taliban-like organization with
links to Al-Queda.
http://www.nytimes.com/
TERRORISTS IN AND FROM CANADA. The author of this piece, Mark
Steyn, is a sharp observer of his native country, Canada. In this
article, he reveals some disturbing things about the difference
in the approach to terrorists up there as compared to down here.
http://www.nationalpost.com/
THE CATHOLIC CRISIS. This article from yesterday's New York
Times gives a troubling overview of the extent of the problem
now facing the Catholoc church in America.
http://www.nytimes.com/
CHURCHILL AND THE COLD WAR AS SEEN FROM FRANCE. This review of
an important book about Churchill in the post-war years comes
from a French journal that deals with "le monde anglophone."
The article is in English but the approach is, indeed, rather
Gallic.
http://www.cercles.com/
THE LAST OF THE STRAUSSIANS? Leo Strauss was a professor of political
philosophy at the University of Chicago a long time ago. His influence
was crucial in shaping the revival of intellectual (and political!)
conservatism. Here is an essay about the work and influence of
one of his still-active students.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
BLACKS, WHITES AND AMERICAN MARKETING. This quite interesting
article from the Boston Globe is, we think, on to something
important.
http://www.boston.com/
BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH FROM THE BBC. The world's best known symphony
is performed here by the National Orchestra of Wales conducted
by Grant Llewellyn.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
January 10, 2003:
A WAVERING PARTNER. Tony Blair apparently has
a "back bench" revolt on his hands concerning the Iraq
policy. This story from CNN gives the details.
http://www.cnn.com/
WHO OR WHAT WAS JAMES BOND, REALLY? Popular entertainments usually
reflect some of the more hidden aspects of national and international
culture. The author of this interesting article explains the "deeper"
meaning of 007.
http://www.nationalinterest.org/
IN ISRAEL: SCANDAL, TELEVISION AND "VIGOROUS DEMOCRACY."
Something sounds rather shoddy--but could the regime of Iraq,
Iran, Syria or even Egypt be challenged in this way?
http://www.nytimes.com/
WHY ARE WE BEING SO MEAN TO "ARAB-AMERICAN CHARITIES?"
This report from the U.S. was published in the Saudi Arabian English
language newspaper yesterday.
http://www.arabnews.com/
DOES WAR PRODUCE GREAT LITERATURE? The common answer is "yes"
but Jonathan Yardley of the Washington Post thinks otherwise.
A fine essay from one of our best literary critics.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
THE MICHIGAN CASE AND THE FUTURE OF "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION."
The General Counsel of the Center for Equal Opportunity puts some
strong words in the President's mouth. What do you think on this
issue? Contributions are welcome at:
extension720@tribune.com.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
MERELY OF HUMAN INTEREST! This has no bearing on anything of great
import in the world. It is simply a fascinating bit of extended
gossip about a woman of "some interest."
http://www.observer.com/
ANOTHER GREAT CONCERT FROM SWISS-ITALIAN RADIO. This one features
chamber music by Beethoven, Dvorak and Mozart--all beautifully
performed.
http://www.rtsi.ch/
January 9, 2003:
WEAPONS INSPECTORS, SADDAM AND THE BLOCKED ROAD TO WAR. This analysis
by Steve Chapman of the Tribune does point up the dilemma
(not, we think insuperable) within which the administration hawks
are now enmeshed.
http://www.townhall.com/
WITH ENEMIES LIKE THIS WHO NEEDS FRIENDS? This great profile of
Kim Jong Il comes from the current issue of Newsweek.
To know old Kim is not necessarily to love him.
http://www.msnbc.com/
YESTERDAY'S DRAMATIC DOINGS AT THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT. Here
is the New York Times account of the arrest of Matthew
Hale, "Pontifex Maximus" of the "World Church of
the Creator."
http://www.nytimes.com/
MUBARAK'S SPOKESMAN ON ANTISEMITISM AND THE FUTURE OF ARAB-ISRAELI
RELATIONS. This fascinating piece was published a few days ago
in Al-Ahram, the "semi-official" newspaper
in Egypt.
http://www.memri.org/
THE ARGUMENT FOR WAR. This comes from one of the foreign affairs
specialists at the Heritage Foundation. The responses from the
British Readers are of considerable interest, as well.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
SHAKEDOWN, INC., JOHNNY COCHRAN AND THE NFL. This one is a doozer!
We hadn't heard about the latest diversity hustle until we came
upon this column by Ward Connerly.
http://www.townhall.com/
THEY MAY HATE US BUT THEY STILL LOVE OUR FILMS! So says an old
friend of ours, Neil Gabler, who used to do the weekly PBS movie
review program and also appeared frequently on Extension 720.
http://www.nytimes.com/
FROM BACH TO BARTOK. This concert by a fine Russian chamber orchestra
does, indeed, have tremendous range. And is there anything more
perfect in western music than Bach's Concerto in D Minor for Two
Violins?
http://www.classical.ru:8080/
January 8, 2003:
WHAT THE SPEECH WRITER SAW. David Frum wrote
the president's speeches for a year and formed some strong impressions
of his boss. Here is an informative review of his book. Frum will
be our guest tomorrow night (Thursday) on Extension 720.
http://www.latimes.com/
THE HIGHLY REGARDED TOM FRIEDMAN. This New York Times
columnist is generally considered one of the wisest commentators
on Mideast affairs. His column today is worth thinking about.
http://www.nytimes.com/
BLAIR "LEVELS" WITH HIS AMBASSADORS. The British Prime
Minister addressed his country's representatives in foreign lands
yesterday. The speech is fascinating for what it reveals about
his (and his party's?) intentions toward the anti-Saddam war that
may or may not begin in a few weeks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
THE BLACKBALLING OF DAN PIPES. This column by Stanley Kurtz in
the National Review tells a sad and disturbing story.
Dan Pipes has, of course, been a rather frequent guest on Extension
720 and is, we think, one of the best informed experts on the
undertakings of radical Islamic groups.
http://www.nationalreview.com/
PEDAGOGICAL PHILOSOPHY IN BOULDER, COLORADO. This is one of those
exhausting yet infuriating items that turn up whenever one examines
the day-by-day news from the world of American education.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/
THE MICHIGAN QUOTA CASE. The ultimate case testing racial quotas
in collegiate admissions is now before the Supreme Court. Here
is a sharp commentary by Tom Sowell of the Hoover Institution.
He is generally considered to be one of the foremost among the
growing group of "black conservative intellectuals."
http://www.townhall.com/
AN INTERESTING WRITER ON TWO VERY INTERESTING WRITERS. That is
to say, here is a review from The Atlantic by Christopher
Hitchens who takes on Tom Stoppard and--a great but forgotten
figure from the 19th century--Alexander Herzen.
http://www.theatlantic.com/
A GREAT MOZART SYMPHONY. The 39th in E flat Major as performed
by the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Mackerras.
http://classicalplus.gmn.com/
January 7, 2003:
MEARSHEIMER AND WALT WEIGH IN. We have linked
to this important article before but since both Mearsheimer and
Walt will be our guests tonight, we thought it appropriate to
"reprint" it.
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/
IRAQ AND "JUST WAR." A listener called this recent article
to our attention and it is surely appropriate to pass it on. Weigel
is a leading lay Catholic intellectual.
http://www.firstthings.com/
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE PALESTINIANS! So says Max Boot who has been
with us on Extension 720 a few times recently. Rather, he says,
the real story in the Middle East is about deep divisions within
the Arab world.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/
FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE KIMCHEE CURTAIN. Every so often we
make available to you--at less than considerable expense--the
official news from North Korea. Here is today's Pyongyang fix.
http://www.kcna.co.jp/
THE REPORTS OF OUR DOOM HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT EXAGGERATED. This is
a classic article that appeared some five years ago and caused
consternation in the environmentalist and catastrophist camps.
A wonderful corrective to all that depresses you when you regard
the larger world.
http://www.wired.com/
TALK RADIO AND LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES. Here a talk-show host
reacts to the claim from some Democrats that they were injured
in the last election by "conservative talk shows."
http://www.townhall.com/
ALTERMAN ON WOODWARD ON BUSH. From the liberal Democratic journal,
The American Prospect, an interesting take on both Bob
Woodward and the subject of his latest book.
http://www.prospect.org/
AND YOU SHOULD SEE OUR OFFICE! A funny but wise article from The
Economist. Apparently, sufficient unto the cast of mind is
the pattern of clutter in the office.
http://www.economist.com/
THE GREATEST SINGER OF CLASSIC FLAMENCO? There are many who argue
that La Nina de los Peines was just that! We continue to find
her singing virtually hypnotic in the way it captures and commands
one's attention.
http://www.flamenco-world.com/
January 6, 2003:
HAS THE WAR BEGUN? According to this story
from yesterday's Boston Globe, it has!
http://www.boston.com/
IMPERIAL METHODS IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY? Is that feasible? Is
it, perhaps, necessary? These questions are addressed in this
very valuable article by Michael Ignatieff from yesterday's Times
Magazine.
http://www.nytimes.com/
SCRUTINIZING SCRUTON. Roger Scruton's recent book "The West
and the Rest," which we discussed with the author a few months
ago, is a very important analysis of the civilizational clash
in which we are now caught. And this new essay in response to
Scruton by our frequent guest Roger Kimball is virtually required
reading.
http://www.newcriterion.com/
CLONING THE NATIONAL MONUMENTS! This is truly one of the most
startling news stories to have come our way in a long time. Read
it and ponder.
http://www.nydailynews.com/
THE HAPPY PESSIMIST. That, of course, was Murphy, the source of
Murphy's Law. But Murphy's first law was only the beginning. Plunge
in and, if you choose, add on another Murphyian law.
http://www.murphys-laws.com/
A FORGOTTEN, WOULD-BE PROPHET. Illich died a few weeks ago and
he is here remembered by Anthony Daniels, who was our guest on
Extension 720 a while back. Daniels is one of the most interesting
social observers writing today and Illich was one of the oddest
social critics of the modern age.
http://www.newcriterion.com/
RUSSIAN GYPSY MUSIC... as performed by "Loyko" a great
instrumental ensemble (some of whose members are Beylorussian
gypsies) based in London.
http://loyko.hypermart.net/
January 3, 2003:
HOW SERIOUS IS THE NORTH KOREA PROBLEM? Very,
says Charles Krauthammer..and here, according to him, is what
we ought to do about it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
WE OFFER THIS STORY WITHOUT COMMENT...but we would be very interested
in your comments. Just e-mail to: extension720@tribune.com
http://www.detnews.com
THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG HUSTLE. These are wise and alarming comments
from a concerned medical practitioner. Message: with regard to
prescription drug advertising, CAVEAT EMPTOR!
http://www.nytimes.com
THE ILLEGAL ALIEN WATCH. This one penetrated the White House!
Malkin, in her recent book and her appearance on Extension 720,
has sounded the alarm about our very porous borders and the inadequate
INS. This column just adds particularized force to her general
argument.
http://www.townhall.com
CAN YOUR CONVERSATION SURVIVE WITHOUT THESE WORDS AND PHRASES?
From an obscure university comes a valuable aid to refreshening
the language. Ask yourself how many of these banished locutions
are among your established verbal habits.
http://www.lssu.edu
THE ORIGINAL BYRONIC HERO. Lord Byron was (perhaps) a great poet.
He was something less than an admirable person. This review of
two new books about him is, among other things, great gossip.
http://www.nybooks.com
MORE OF WINGY MANONE. One of the great jazzmen, Manone recorded
these four perfect tunes in one session in 1927.
http://redhotjazz.com
January 2, 2003:
SO WHO ARE THE RAELIANS. They claim to have
cloned a number of babies: one born, five to come. They also believe
in UFOs, sex with everyone and the extra-planetary origins of
the human species. Oh yes, and they want your money.
http://gopusa.com
A COUNTER-GLOOM COLUMN. Kudlow is a pretty sharp, market-oriented
economist. And, despite the buffeting we have taken and are taking,
he manages to make a good, bullish case for the economy in the
new year and beyond.
http://www.townhall.com
DO YOU SPEAK BONOBO? Kanzi Bonobo of the Language Research Center
at Georgia State University does. Here is a news account of the
great leap forward toward the invention of language by apes. For
more detailed information check the link to "Language Research
Centre."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
THE OMNIPRESENT "ART." You can walk away from a painting
you dislike and turn off the cacophonous CD. But what about an
ugly and uncomfortable building? A sharp essay on the public sins
of "modern architecture."
http://www.taemag.com
JIMMY STEWART: AN APPRECIATION. The author, David Bromwich, is
a major literary scholar. But he does, as well, have a good feel
for film and its mythic "stars." This fine essay was
published in the London Review of Books last month.
http://www.lrb.co.uk
THE JUNK SCIENCE OSCARS. These awards are given annually by the
publisher of www.junkscience.com. His sarcasm is well deserved
in every instance.
http://www.foxnews.com
THE THIRD BRANDENBURG. These perfect concertos (concerti, if you
prefer) by Bach are....um, perfect!
http://classicalplus.gmn.com
January 1, 2003:
U.S. AND IRAQ: THE EARLIER PHASE. We we tend
to favor the plan to go after Saddam by military means if he is
not toppled in an internal revolt. But we must acknowledge that
the facts (and related evaluations) contained in this story from
the Washington Post are quite troubling.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
"WE REAL COOL" IN BAGHDAD. This story from the Washington
Post presents a view of life in Baghdad right now which will
surprise many. We confess that it surprised us.
http://www.washingtonpost.com
THE CRUCIAL BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR? That is James McPherson's
judgment about Antietam. He is our guest tonight discussing his
new book--discussed here in a thoughtful essay from The Dartmouth
Review.
http://www.dartreview.com
ACADEMICS ANXIOUSLY CONVENING. Despite a touch of vulgarity in
the opening paragraph (from a former U of I professor) this is
an amusing and yet saddening account of this year's version of
the largest annual academic convention. What tools these mortals
be!
http://www.nyobserver.com
INSTEAD OF THE "BIG BANG." We have, on a few programs,
discussed the "inflationary model" of the universe and
its origins. Here is a non-mathematical account by the man who
originated the whole conceptual structure, Alan Guth.
http://www.edge.org
HOW COULD THEY HAVE DONE IT? The persisting mystery of the Holocaust
is that human beings planned and executed the exterminations.
Two recent books attempt to account for how they brought themselves
to do it. The reviewer, Terry Teachout, is a distinguished essayist
and historian.
http://www.bookmagazine.com
WHAT--IF ANYTHING--IS GENIUS? The word is easily batted around.
But does it have a definable referent? Or is "genius"
merely in the eye of the rewarding and responding society? This
fine, illuminating article has just appeared in The Atlantic
Monthly.
http://www.theatlantic.com
SWING IS BORN! The transition from jazz to swing came with the
large bands. Preceding Dorsey, Goodman, Miller, Shaw, et al was
the Fletcher Henderson Band of the 1920s. Here is a great collection
of their recordings.
http://redhotjazz.com
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