Author Archives: stephenkmacksd

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

Political Reader comments. Contemplate the ‘failure’ of Putin’s 45 delegation’s.. the question of the decline of the of attendance to delegations, demonstrates that mollifying the American Hegemon is the wise course for African Nations? Headline: Putin hosts African leaders in … Continue reading →

Philosophical Apprentice comments. The Reader needn’t resort to the doom saying political hysterics of Niall Ferguson, to find that ‘we’ are in trouble, of the most dire kind! That Reader just needs to consult this ‘essay’ for a package of bad news. The Economist … Continue reading →

Old Socialist’s brief commentary. Mr. Stephens can reach a state of high dungeon, in just moments, and maintain it’s screeching intensity, over the course of 868 words, in his latest moralizing diatribe. With telling changes of scene for Oregon to Portugal: … Continue reading →