Protect Pregnant Women: Free Bei Bei Shuai Protect Pregnant Women: Free Bei Bei Shuai
Bad things happen when laws to protect fetuses are turned against the women who carry them.
Mar 7, 2012 / Column / Katha Pollitt
I Thought That I Would Never See a Pol Who Loved the Height of Trees I Thought That I Would Never See a Pol Who Loved the Height of Trees
“I love this state. It seems right here. The trees are the right height.” —Mitt Romney, in his home state of Michigan Away from here, I find no trees that please— No trees at such a perfect height as these. For me, I cannot ever be at ease With trees that grow no higher than one’s knees Or too tall trees that splinter in a freeze. Wisconsin, sure, has bragging rights on cheese. And California’s rich in Cantonese. And Colorado’s where to take your skis. Connecticut, of course, has Lyme disease. At none of these am I prepared to sneeze. But here we have the perfect height of trees.
Feb 29, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Right-Wing Racism: Past, Present—and Future Right-Wing Racism: Past, Present—and Future
The GOP panders to racists, and liberals are blamed for a “neurotic” obsession with race.
Feb 29, 2012 / Column / Eric Alterman
We Pick Rick We Pick Rick
(A Santorum campaign song, sung to the tune of “I Like Ike,” by Irving Berlin) We pick Rick. Yes, Rick’s with whom we will stick. He’s the guy All over whom we’re swarming. We pick Rick. Though some imply that he’s thick, He well knows There is no global warming. He’ll say on CNN The sins that we must smother. And he can keep those men From marrying each other. We pick Rick ‘Cause he’ll tell liberals real quick What God says No matter if they’re willing: Abortion’s baby-killing. So we pick Rick.
Feb 15, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Wislawa Szymborska, 1923–2012 Wislawa Szymborska, 1923–2012
The great Polish poet disclaimed grand political schemes in favor of irony, wit, skepticism and the individual.
Feb 15, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Katha Pollitt
The Ugly Truth Behind Michigan’s Budget Surplus The Ugly Truth Behind Michigan’s Budget Surplus
Gov. Rick Snyder’s ruthless austerity measures have made the state a bleak place to live, work and go to school.
Feb 15, 2012 / Column / Patricia J. Williams
Romney Says He’s Not Concerned About the Poor Romney Says He’s Not Concerned About the Poor
“The remark about the poor immediately became catalogued in a growing list of awkward comments by Mr. Romney.” —New York Times His profile’s divine. His shoes have a shine; They’re almost as shined as his hair. And voters ignore That seeking Mitt’s core Has failed because nothing is there. So Mitt’s way ahead. The pundits have said That Newt might be almost kaput. But Mitt still might lose If he puts those shoes Much more in his mouth with his foot.
Feb 8, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Sheldon Adelson and the End of American Anti-Semitism Sheldon Adelson and the End of American Anti-Semitism
How can it be that the “richest Jew in the world” can buy the foreign policy of a major party’s presidential contender and “the Jews” have somehow escaped the blame?
Feb 8, 2012 / Column / Eric Alterman
Replacing History With Fiction in Arizona Replacing History With Fiction in Arizona
The authors of Arizona’s new law want to collapse Latino identity into white American mythology.
Feb 8, 2012 / Column / Gary Younge
Adelson Adelson
(Sung by Newt Gingrich supporters to the tune of “Edelweiss,” from The Sound of Music) Adelson, Adelson, Your donations do cheer him. We who root For our Newt Smile whenever you shmeer him. Absent your vow That you would endow Newt’s campaign with plenty, Adelson, Adelson, He’d be dead as Pawlenty.
Jan 31, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin