Maureen Dowd is on a roll....And, Glenn Beck is disgusting

Today, Maureen Dowd's column in the NYT points out several causes of the mess we find ourselves in with the debt ceiling debacle.  Her choice words about Bush Cheney, her reminding us of another apt nickname for the rabid right wingnuts is........the Taliban Wing of  the Republican Party: when you listen to what some of these people actually say in interviews, you wonder that they have not grown Pinocchio noses.

And then there is Glenn Beck today, saying that the youth camp in Norway that was attacked by the madman was...like a Hitler Youth camp, because its focus was political.   And why is he saying this?  Because his supporters are right wingnuts and he cannot acknowledge that this horror was committed by a right wingnut: so, he blames the victims.

A novel of love, loss, suffering, the horrors of war.

The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A powerful story, generally well written.  The author did a very good job revealing parts of the story, layer by layer.  The horror of war was both visceral and sublimated.

A Banner Day for the New York Times Sunday Review

The Sunday Review section in today's New York Times had many excellent columns. My favourite, however, was Maureen Dowd's atta boy to the longest serving politician in Ireland for his scathing remarks to the Vatican. The title of her column, The End of Awe, was also a commentary on Rupert Murdoch and any of the other people who feel they can do what they please because the have cowed the public with their money and supposed power.

In a similar vein, Thomas Friedman's column Make Way for the Radical Center, both pillories and parodies the Republicans with their "pledges" and warns against the group America Elects.

Two other columns worth attending to are When Wealth Breeds Rage by John Githongo and John Burns' Rude Brittania. The rage discussed by John Githongo was also well described by one of the characters in Aminatta Forna's book The Memory of Love.

Syria Specialist

Syria specialist Joshua Landis compiles information on his daily blog:  it is well worth reading.

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Tony Judt: A true public intellectual

The Memory Chalet by Tony Judt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A memoir of a man who lead a thoughtful life, who was not afraid to grow and change intellectually, who was willing to stand out.

Hama

Here is a video of trauma in Hama yesterday:



Here are photos of Hama May/June  2010: A more peaceful, beautiful time.  May the people of Hama find freedom soon.

A witty and crafty writer!

The Tragedy of Arthur by William Shakespeare: The First Modern Edition of His Lost Play, with an Introduction and Notes by Arthur Phillips by Arthur Phillips

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




A delightful conceit and tour d'force!