Monthly Archives: August 2023

Political Cynic breathes deep, and chokes, on the incense burnt in the names of misbegotten expertise. Mr. Bret Stephens is a political opportunist, always looking to guild his commentaries with some high sounding, and not the least pretentious opening paragraph. … Continue reading →

Political Observer recalls the Republican Convention of 1964, and the importance of Newspapers. I watched the 1964 Republican Convection, as a high-school drop-out, I watched too much television. The expulsion of William Scranton, or at the least the public shaming … Continue reading →

Old Socialist eventually finds, the elusive, diminutive, ‘Culture Department’. The Reader might just ask what is a ‘Culture Department’? Here are the opening paragraphs of Colvile’s essay, that does not mention that ‘Culture Department’ : Here’s a riddle for you. Energy costs … Continue reading →

Old Socialist offers a selection. Leaders | Economic malaise Is Germany once again the sick man of Europe? Its ills are different from 1999. But another stiff dose of reform is still needed Nearly twenty-five years ago this newspaper called Germany … Continue reading →

Political Observer comments on Preston’s self-willed ignorance. The Players: Andrew Preston, William Bullitt, Sigmund Freud, Woodrow Wilson, Patrick Weil, Zachary Jonathan Jacobson, Richard Nixon. Andrew Preston’s review begins here: Should The Reader look askance at the title of Patrick Weil’s … Continue reading →

Old Socialist comments. The opening paragraph of this exhumation is not surprising: Nearly twenty-five years ago this newspaper called Germany the sick man of the euro. The combination of reunification, a sclerotic job market and slowing export demand all plagued … Continue reading →

Philosophical Apprentice comments. Having read all but nearly 600 words of Mr. Brooks’ essay ‘Hey, America, Grow Up! of Aug. 10, 2023. The Avatars of David Brooks latest scolding, are the misbegotten trio of Philip Rieff, Christopher Lasch and Tom Wolfe. Philosophical … Continue reading →

Philosophical Apprentice comments. The framing of this latest David Brooks essay, in which he ponders ‘the decline of the American psyche’ what ever that might be? What are the credentials that Brooks offers The Reader? His long apprenticeship to Wm. F. Buckley … Continue reading →

Philosophical Apprentice comments. The first paragraphs of Stephens diatribe against Paul Ryan offers: Should The Reader be at all surprised that Politics, as practiced, is about the ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape… call it hypocrisy if you must, … Continue reading →

Thank you for reading my blog. I know some of you have followed me, from my many years of commenting on The Financial Times writers. Many thanks, StephenKMackSD