Monthly Archives: December 2019

Dr. Pangloss predicts the future, in The Financial Times. Political Observer comments

Headline: Steven Pinker: what can we expect from the 2020s? Sub-headline: Look beyond the gloom of the daily headlines and the case for progress is still strong Dr. Pangloss’ essay  presents many compelling aperçus : On Human Nature as Determined … Continue reading

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On the question: does political propinquity exist between Andrew Sullivan & Bret Stephens? Political Observer comments

Mr. Sullivan’s Anti-Trump hysteria seems to reach many denouements, here is part of his December 20, 2019 essay: Headline: What We Know About Trump Going Into 2020 … The two core lessons of the past few years are therefore: (1) … Continue reading

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@The Economist. Old Socialist comments on ‘The new anger’.

The new anger Headline: 2019 in review: protest and populism in Latin America Sub-headline: Scandals, autocracy and anger at inequality stir unrest across the continent https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2019/12/25/2019-in-review-protest-and-populism-in-latin-america?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/2019inreviewprotestandpopulisminlatinamericathenewanger Under the rubric of ‘The new anger’ needs further explication provided by the headline … Continue reading

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gideon.rachman@ft.com on the year of street protests. Political Observer comments

Headline: 2019: the year of street protest Sub-headline: Mass demonstrations around the globe show no sign of fizzling out Call this an Opinion Writer’s jejune pastiche of History, that comes to this lackluster conclusion: Above all, as the last 12 months … Continue reading

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@NYT New Cold Warriors have a Hanukkah/Christmas present for you! Old Socialist describes that ‘gift’

The New Cold Warriors @NYT can’t help themselves! With the ‘Impeachment’ on hold, under the direction of Schiff/Nadler , the best political duo since the Ev and Charley Show, and ‘I haven’t got the votes in the Senate’ Pelosi-I’m sorry … Continue reading

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Niall Ferguson’s Christmas present for you: Myra Breckenridge warns the reader!

Before you gather the family around the T.V. to watch ‘Its a Wonderful Life’ with your mugs of Cocoa and that Tree all lit up, Ozzie and Harriet style: (Don’t pretend you don’t know who they are!) be sure to … Continue reading

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On Jeffery Goldberg’s Self-serving Historical Kitsch. Queer Atheist comments

Headline:Israeli Jews are ‘equivalent of Seminoles deciding to take over Florida’ and Palestinians are the cowboys — Jeffrey Goldberg reemerges While I was reading portions of Goldberg’s comments I was reminded of the column’s of David Brooks , in which … Continue reading

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Robert Harris in his own words, with the assistance of his near contemporary and The Financial Times ‘literary editor’ Frederick Studemann

Headline: Robert Harris: ‘Johnson must fancy himself as Caesar’ Sub-headline: The novelist on Cicero’s lessons for Brexit Britain, Labour’s future — and how to write a bestseller a year Reading Frederick Studemann’s interview with Robert Harris is a literary amalgam … Continue reading

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edward.luce@ft.com on the Democrats need of a ‘Messiah’. Old Socialist comments

Headline: The Democrats are badly in need of a messiah Sub-headline: Few of the candidates show signs of winning the hearts of a party that likes to fall in love Where to begin on this thick slice of political Velveeta? This … Continue reading

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gideon.rachman@ft.com on Boris’ ‘liberal Brexit’ and other questions. Old Socialist comments

Mr. Rachman signals, with his reference to his conversation with Fyodor Lukyanov in Moscow, as the reification of his status as well traveled ‘expert’ . The subject of Lukyanov’s contemptuous laughter is Boris’ notion of a “liberal Brexit”. Mr. Rachman’s … Continue reading

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