A MESSAGE TO FRANCE FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. In this article, which appeared today, the deputy editor of the editorial page conveys a rather forceful message to the French political elite--and incidentally presents some interesting data about American attitudes toward the United Nations.
Friday, September 19, 2003
HOW THE CLINTONS MAY BE USING GENERAL CLARK. To insure that a Democrat is defeated in the 2004 election, leaving the way clear for Hillary in 2008. That's the view put forward in this column by Jay Bryant who, it should be noted, is a leading Republican Party consultant.
THERE'S THE WESTERN VERSION AND THE REAL THING...says this interesting op-ed about the Dalai Lama from today's New York Times. The image of Sharon Stone introducing him as "the hardest working man in spirituality" will haunt us forever.
DOES STEPHEN KING DESERVE THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD? Some literary critics are shocked and even repelled. Others can find a way to rationalize the decision. Meanwhile King will go on turning out what Harold Bloom calls his "penny dreadfuls." The account of this brouhaha is from the New York Times.
IS THE LEFT NOW "ANTI-SEMITIC?" Or is it "merely" anti-Israel? This and related questions are under discussion in the straight-talking symposium posted today by Front Page magazine. Among the participants are two former guests on Extension 720: Phyllis Chesler and Sol Stern.
MEDICAL PRACTICE TAKES AN INNOVATIVE TURN. But do consider the source of this startling report.
THE SPAM BAN. If the Brits can do it, why don't we? Check out this story from the BBC newsline.
OUR FIRST COUSINS, THE CHIMPS! They have been classified for many yaers as of another genus. Now, according to this startling report from Wayne State School of Medicine, there is strong evidence to suggest that they actually belong to the genus homo. That is, they are as closely linked to us as was homo neanderthalis! This account is from the web site of National Geographic.
THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW DIALECT. Or should Spanglish be classified as a "creole" or "pidgin?" Whatever you want to call it, it is in constant development and will increasingly come into non-Hispanic usage, according to this informative article from the Boston Globe.
A SUPER SUPPLY OF SOPRANOS. On this site some of the major sopranos of these and earlier years are biographized, pictured and, most importantly, heard in performance. Just scroll down and take your pick--but be sure not to miss the generous supply of Callas recordings.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
SO WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WESLEY CLARK? This informal profile has just appeared in The Atlantic magazine. It does give a sense of the man and some view, as well, of what sort of campaign he may run. Or have run for him by the Clinton operatives?
BUT WHAT IF HE WINS? John Fund, writing in today's Wall Street Journal, does seem to be on to something: the Clintons are visibly supporting and encouraging the Clark candidacy. Is the general their patsy? Lose this one for us and then Hilary can run in 2008? But, if he were to win that would defer a Hillary candidacy to 2012. What's wrong with this picture?
IS ISLAM INTRINSICALLY ANTI-WESTERN? This important question is examined closely in this article from the U.K. Economist. The focus on the thought and pronouncements of Sayyid Qutb suggests that there is, indeed, something intractible about the Jihadist ideology.
NATIONAL AMBIVALENCE OVER THE CENTURIES. That, says Richard Brookhiser in this new article from American Heritage magazine, is the way it has gone for the U.S. and France. And neither nation can break free of the somewhat tortured embrace. An interesting survey of the high and low points in our shared history.
THE CULTURE WARS IN AUSTRALIA. Paddy McGuinness, a leading columnist at the Sydney Morning Herald, examines the assault upon historian Keith Windschuttle. More is at issue than an argument about the Australian aborigines. In the view of McGuinness, the leftist intellectuals are running like a pack of wolves and are now getting ready to savage Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, who is about to arrive fron Denmark. Read on!
THE REALLY IMPORTANT BOOK REVIEWS...aren't where you think they are. Or, put it this way: Publisher's Weekly does more than the New York Times can to justify a new book to the puchasing person at your bookstore. This article from Slate provides an interesting insider's view of just how the book business works.
FASCINATING STUFF! In this review of a new biography of John O'Hara, John Updike quarrels with the biographer and shares his own memories and appreciation of one of the most "natural" writers in American literary history.
THE PASSING OF THE YOUNG FOGEY. Is there an American equivalent of the youngish traditionalist who now, according to this article from the U.K. Spectator, seems to be fading from the scene?
DVORAK IN THE STRING SECTION. A fine performance of his delicate Serenade for Strings in E Major.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
BUT WHAT IF HE WINS? John Fund, writing in today's Wall Street Journal, does seem to be on to something: the Clintons are visibly supporting and encouraging the Clark candidacy. Is the general their patsy? Lose this one for us and then Hilary can run in 2008? But, if he were to win that would defer a Hillary candidacy to 2012. What's wrong with this picture?
IS ISLAM INTRINSICALLY ANTI-WESTERN? This important question is examined closely in this article from the U.K. Economist. The focus on the thought and pronouncements of Sayyid Qutb suggests that there is, indeed, something intractible about the Jihadist ideology.
NATIONAL AMBIVALENCE OVER THE CENTURIES. That, says Richard Brookhiser in this new article from American Heritage magazine, is the way it has gone for the U.S. and France. And neither nation can break free of the somewhat tortured embrace. An interesting survey of the high and low points in our shared history.
THE CULTURE WARS IN AUSTRALIA. Paddy McGuinness, a leading columnist at the Sydney Morning Herald, examines the assault upon historian Keith Windschuttle. More is at issue than an argument about the Australian aborigines. In the view of McGuinness, the leftist intellectuals are running like a pack of wolves and are now getting ready to savage Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, who is about to arrive fron Denmark. Read on!
THE REALLY IMPORTANT BOOK REVIEWS...aren't where you think they are. Or, put it this way: Publisher's Weekly does more than the New York Times can to justify a new book to the puchasing person at your bookstore. This article from Slate provides an interesting insider's view of just how the book business works.
FASCINATING STUFF! In this review of a new biography of John O'Hara, John Updike quarrels with the biographer and shares his own memories and appreciation of one of the most "natural" writers in American literary history.
THE PASSING OF THE YOUNG FOGEY. Is there an American equivalent of the youngish traditionalist who now, according to this article from the U.K. Spectator, seems to be fading from the scene?
DVORAK IN THE STRING SECTION. A fine performance of his delicate Serenade for Strings in E Major.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
PIPES, AJAMI AND ZAKARIA AS SEEN FROM BEIRUT. These three (more-or-less "hard-line") scholars of middle eastern affairs get a surprisingly positive evaluation in this recent article from the major English-language newspaper of Lebanon.
WHAT SAM HUNTINGTON REALLY SAID. His "clash of civilizations" thesis is often invoked to explain the inevitability of the Jihadist assault upon the West. Here is the original article as published ten years ago in Foreign Affairs.
WHAT WAS GRAY DAVIS THINKING?...when he signed the bill that allows illegals to get legal drivers licenses--and, among other things, access to firearms and possibly to the voting booth. Perhaps he was thinking that the "hispanic vote" might save him from recall. This strongly stated article is from Front Page magazine.
DAVE BARRY AND WAITING FOR ISABEL. As the hurricane approaches Barry has trotted out a column of a few years ago explaining how to handle hurricanes. It is as useful now as it was when it was originally published in the Miami Herald.
WHO WILL BE WATCHING? A new technology that may replace bar codes may also intrude still further upon our privacy. It is gathering momentum and we had better be aware of it. A good introduction is available in this story from Wired magazine.
THE POOR EDUCATION OF BLACK AND HISPANIC PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. A major study of considerable methodological sophistication has just been reported from the Manhattan Institute. The key conclusion is given in the last sentence: "Reform of the K-12 education system is the key to improving college access for these groups." This summary of the study is, though long, eminently readable and IMPORTANT!
WE ARE NOT ALONE. When it comes to disruption and educational failure in the secondary schools, the Brits now do as well (i.e. as badly) as we do. If, that is, this account from Prospect magazine is to be believed--as of course it is.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE? How far off was Alan Dershowitz when he said: "They used to want to kill us; now they want to marry us?" Intermarriage rates are high but have, apparently, been somewhat exaggerated. This, and much else about the American way of being Jewish, is illuminated in the new Jewish population survey just reported in Forward.
WHO WAS LEO STRAUSS, WHAT WAS HE THAT ALL THE LEFT (AND SOME PALEOCONSERVATIVES) CONDEMN HIM? Neoconservatism, the Iraq war and the secret peristence of "Trotskyism" have all been blamed on a once obscure--and long dead--professor at the University of Chicago. From Public Interest magazine, this new article clarifies what Strauss was up to and what the modern "Straussians" have drawn from him.
THE INNOCENCE AND ORDEAL OF MARTHA STEWART. She gets full exoneration and sympathy from the contrarian libertarians at Reason magazine. The article is from the new and just published October issue.
A GREAT CHOPIN CONCERT. From the Argerich Festival in Lugano, Switzerland, here are live performances of both of Chopin's piano concertos (concerti, if you prefer). And, as well, some other major works for solo piano. The performances are excellent!
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
WHAT SAM HUNTINGTON REALLY SAID. His "clash of civilizations" thesis is often invoked to explain the inevitability of the Jihadist assault upon the West. Here is the original article as published ten years ago in Foreign Affairs.
WHAT WAS GRAY DAVIS THINKING?...when he signed the bill that allows illegals to get legal drivers licenses--and, among other things, access to firearms and possibly to the voting booth. Perhaps he was thinking that the "hispanic vote" might save him from recall. This strongly stated article is from Front Page magazine.
DAVE BARRY AND WAITING FOR ISABEL. As the hurricane approaches Barry has trotted out a column of a few years ago explaining how to handle hurricanes. It is as useful now as it was when it was originally published in the Miami Herald.
WHO WILL BE WATCHING? A new technology that may replace bar codes may also intrude still further upon our privacy. It is gathering momentum and we had better be aware of it. A good introduction is available in this story from Wired magazine.
THE POOR EDUCATION OF BLACK AND HISPANIC PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. A major study of considerable methodological sophistication has just been reported from the Manhattan Institute. The key conclusion is given in the last sentence: "Reform of the K-12 education system is the key to improving college access for these groups." This summary of the study is, though long, eminently readable and IMPORTANT!
WE ARE NOT ALONE. When it comes to disruption and educational failure in the secondary schools, the Brits now do as well (i.e. as badly) as we do. If, that is, this account from Prospect magazine is to be believed--as of course it is.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN AMERICAN JEWISH LIFE? How far off was Alan Dershowitz when he said: "They used to want to kill us; now they want to marry us?" Intermarriage rates are high but have, apparently, been somewhat exaggerated. This, and much else about the American way of being Jewish, is illuminated in the new Jewish population survey just reported in Forward.
WHO WAS LEO STRAUSS, WHAT WAS HE THAT ALL THE LEFT (AND SOME PALEOCONSERVATIVES) CONDEMN HIM? Neoconservatism, the Iraq war and the secret peristence of "Trotskyism" have all been blamed on a once obscure--and long dead--professor at the University of Chicago. From Public Interest magazine, this new article clarifies what Strauss was up to and what the modern "Straussians" have drawn from him.
THE INNOCENCE AND ORDEAL OF MARTHA STEWART. She gets full exoneration and sympathy from the contrarian libertarians at Reason magazine. The article is from the new and just published October issue.
A GREAT CHOPIN CONCERT. From the Argerich Festival in Lugano, Switzerland, here are live performances of both of Chopin's piano concertos (concerti, if you prefer). And, as well, some other major works for solo piano. The performances are excellent!
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
THE DEMS AS SEEN FROM MIAMI. Jim Defede, who writes a bit aciduously for the Miami Herald, examines the field of Democrat(ic) candidates with a particular eye toward the senator from his state who has a special problem: he has lost the "vitriolic high ground!"
"RACE PREFERENCES" AT MICHIGAN; FREE SPEECH AND CIVILITY AT COLUMBIA...and other academic issues. Here is another look at the ever-growing file of the NAS (the National Association of Scholars) on whose advisory board I "sit."
SEARCHING MEANING IN A MURDER. The assasination of the Swedish Foreign Minister seems more nihilistic than purposeful. It sets Mark Steyn searching for some interior meaning--as it does most of us. But, as usual, he illuminates better than most commentators. The piece was syndicated yesterday.
HOW SOON AFTER LAUNCH CAN YOU KNOCK DOWN A MISSILE? Not very soon at all according to an authoritative study recently released by the American Physical Society. If not in the "boost phase" then when? And how? And how much will the continuing R and D cost? Thinking people want to know!
ARCHITECTURE, CELEBRITY AND BAD DESIGN. This forthright article by Evelyn Yallen calls a spade a spade and an over-celebtared architect a liablity. Chicagoans will note the few paragraphs devoted to Gehry's twisted steel, auditorium constructions. That's what is now rising on the lakefront.
DE L'AUDACE, ENCORE DE L'AUDACE ET TOUJOURS DE L'AUDACE. That's how Leni Riefenstahl conducted her long, long career. Does her dismaying and bizarre story clarify the nature of Nazism or merely of narcissism? This comes from the web-list of H-German, a scholarly site for scholars interested in German language, culture and history.
POSNERIAN POLEMICISM IN THE VIEW OF THE WARDEN OF NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD. This fine essay on the works and ways of one of our favorite program guests, Judge Richard A. Posner, appeared in Sunday's New York Times Book Review.
WE ARE ALL OF US ROMANS! If you take seriously the notion that western civilization is fully derived from Roman antiquity--what follows as concerns our current situation and prospects? An intersting, speculative answer is given here by a Jesuit scholar in a book review from First Things magazine.
THE GREAT BASSOS: CHALIAPIN, PINZA, RAIMONDI AND MANY OTHERS. This major site contains, in addition to biographical material and great illustrations, many wonderful recordings in Real Audio. Just scroll down and link away. And be sure not to miss Chaliapin's "Down the Petersky."
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
"RACE PREFERENCES" AT MICHIGAN; FREE SPEECH AND CIVILITY AT COLUMBIA...and other academic issues. Here is another look at the ever-growing file of the NAS (the National Association of Scholars) on whose advisory board I "sit."
SEARCHING MEANING IN A MURDER. The assasination of the Swedish Foreign Minister seems more nihilistic than purposeful. It sets Mark Steyn searching for some interior meaning--as it does most of us. But, as usual, he illuminates better than most commentators. The piece was syndicated yesterday.
HOW SOON AFTER LAUNCH CAN YOU KNOCK DOWN A MISSILE? Not very soon at all according to an authoritative study recently released by the American Physical Society. If not in the "boost phase" then when? And how? And how much will the continuing R and D cost? Thinking people want to know!
ARCHITECTURE, CELEBRITY AND BAD DESIGN. This forthright article by Evelyn Yallen calls a spade a spade and an over-celebtared architect a liablity. Chicagoans will note the few paragraphs devoted to Gehry's twisted steel, auditorium constructions. That's what is now rising on the lakefront.
DE L'AUDACE, ENCORE DE L'AUDACE ET TOUJOURS DE L'AUDACE. That's how Leni Riefenstahl conducted her long, long career. Does her dismaying and bizarre story clarify the nature of Nazism or merely of narcissism? This comes from the web-list of H-German, a scholarly site for scholars interested in German language, culture and history.
POSNERIAN POLEMICISM IN THE VIEW OF THE WARDEN OF NEW COLLEGE, OXFORD. This fine essay on the works and ways of one of our favorite program guests, Judge Richard A. Posner, appeared in Sunday's New York Times Book Review.
WE ARE ALL OF US ROMANS! If you take seriously the notion that western civilization is fully derived from Roman antiquity--what follows as concerns our current situation and prospects? An intersting, speculative answer is given here by a Jesuit scholar in a book review from First Things magazine.
THE GREAT BASSOS: CHALIAPIN, PINZA, RAIMONDI AND MANY OTHERS. This major site contains, in addition to biographical material and great illustrations, many wonderful recordings in Real Audio. Just scroll down and link away. And be sure not to miss Chaliapin's "Down the Petersky."
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
Monday, September 15, 2003
DID PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE PROVIDE A NUCLEAR WEAPON TO AL QUAEDA? That horrifying suspicion is advanced in a new book from one of France's leading journalists. And the matter is discussed here, with his usual thoroughness and clarity, by Ron Rosenbaum,a former guest on Extension 720. The article is from the current edition of the New York Observer.
FENCES KEEP OUT BAD NEIGHBORS. Krauthammer, in this latest column, examines just what the fall of Mahmoud Abbas meant...and what now must be done. The column is from last Friday's Washington Post.
WHEN DO WE GET SERIOUS ABOUT DANGEROUS ALIENS WHO MAY BE TERRORISTS? We are a bit late getting around to this column by Michelle Malkin, a sometime guest on our program. This column of hers appeared two days before 9/11. Check the links she provides--then read 'em and weep.
AN ILLUMINATING (AND LENGTHY) DISCUSSION OF IRAQ AND OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN STANDOFF. This discussion by some particularly well-informed policy specialists took place a week ago at the Brookings Institution.
THE TIMES GETS IT RIGHT--SORT OF. NOW (National Organization of Women) seems increasingly to be from "then," when all a candidate needed to do was be a woman. But, in criticizing their endorsement of Carol Mosley Braun, the New York Times fails to recount the disgraceful corruption of Braun's one term in the Senate, including her backing of a muderous African dictator for whom her then "special friend" was doing publicity work.
THE REAL CAPTAIN BLIGH. The commander of HMS Bounty is the subject of the fine new book reviewed here. The author, Caroline Alexander, will be our guest on September 25th.
THE ART (OR TRICK?) OF PROPHECY. Oracles and the oracular "art" are apparently treated with amusing but erudite analysis in this new book. The Washington Post reviewer seems fascinated and yet a bit ambivalent. But his review persuades us to get the book and to try and book the author.
MORE ON SCHUBERT'S WINTERREISSE. That was our musical selection on last Friday's File--and now we find that the U.K. Telegraph classifies it as "the greatest of song cycles." And, according to this story from Sunday's paper, a dance version is about to be premiered in London.
MOZART, BRAHMS, BACH AND BEETHOVEN! This great concert was given at the Martha Argerich Festival in Lugano, Switzerland last June. Do be sure to listen to the great performance of Beethoven's Triple Concerto as performed by Argerich, Maisky and Capucon.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
FENCES KEEP OUT BAD NEIGHBORS. Krauthammer, in this latest column, examines just what the fall of Mahmoud Abbas meant...and what now must be done. The column is from last Friday's Washington Post.
WHEN DO WE GET SERIOUS ABOUT DANGEROUS ALIENS WHO MAY BE TERRORISTS? We are a bit late getting around to this column by Michelle Malkin, a sometime guest on our program. This column of hers appeared two days before 9/11. Check the links she provides--then read 'em and weep.
AN ILLUMINATING (AND LENGTHY) DISCUSSION OF IRAQ AND OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN STANDOFF. This discussion by some particularly well-informed policy specialists took place a week ago at the Brookings Institution.
THE TIMES GETS IT RIGHT--SORT OF. NOW (National Organization of Women) seems increasingly to be from "then," when all a candidate needed to do was be a woman. But, in criticizing their endorsement of Carol Mosley Braun, the New York Times fails to recount the disgraceful corruption of Braun's one term in the Senate, including her backing of a muderous African dictator for whom her then "special friend" was doing publicity work.
THE REAL CAPTAIN BLIGH. The commander of HMS Bounty is the subject of the fine new book reviewed here. The author, Caroline Alexander, will be our guest on September 25th.
THE ART (OR TRICK?) OF PROPHECY. Oracles and the oracular "art" are apparently treated with amusing but erudite analysis in this new book. The Washington Post reviewer seems fascinated and yet a bit ambivalent. But his review persuades us to get the book and to try and book the author.
MORE ON SCHUBERT'S WINTERREISSE. That was our musical selection on last Friday's File--and now we find that the U.K. Telegraph classifies it as "the greatest of song cycles." And, according to this story from Sunday's paper, a dance version is about to be premiered in London.
MOZART, BRAHMS, BACH AND BEETHOVEN! This great concert was given at the Martha Argerich Festival in Lugano, Switzerland last June. Do be sure to listen to the great performance of Beethoven's Triple Concerto as performed by Argerich, Maisky and Capucon.
THE ENTIRE EXTENSION 720 WITH MILT ROSENBERG WEBSITE CAN BE ACCESSED HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LISTEN TO EXTENSION 720, STREAMING AUDIO IS AVAILABLE HERE. THE SHOW RUNS FROM 9 TO 11 P.M. CENTRAL TIME, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
