Books and Ideas

SNL: Amy Poehler Raps About Palin and Alaska SNL: Amy Poehler Raps About Palin and Alaska

Amy Poehler brings the house down with a Sarah Palin-inspired hip hop ode to Alaska and the McCain campaign.

Oct 20, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Saturday Night Live

Daily Show on Obama and McCain’s Final Debate Daily Show on Obama and McCain’s Final Debate

The final debate isn't about the animosity between the candidates, but about you, the people who remind them to keep a never-ending supply of Purell on them.

Oct 17, 2008 / The Daily Show

Saturday Night Live: Obama and McCain’s Plumber Debate Saturday Night Live: Obama and McCain’s Plumber Debate

McCain celebrates his 'best friend in the whole world', Joe the Plumber, who has a 'magical plunger' that will fix all our economic problems.

Oct 17, 2008 / Saturday Night Live

The Penguin Channels McCain in Debate With Batman The Penguin Channels McCain in Debate With Batman

In preparation for his last debate with Obama, McCain should take a few pages from the Batman villain's playbook.

Oct 15, 2008 / YouTube

Walter Benjamin Forever: A Critic’s Coveted Afterlife Walter Benjamin Forever: A Critic’s Coveted Afterlife

Following the quirky, revolutionary life path of one of the most celebrated twentieth-century intellectuals.

Oct 15, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Noah Isenberg

Rooted in Reconstruction: The First Wave of Black Congressmen Rooted in Reconstruction: The First Wave of Black Congressmen

Without the courage of the forgotten black legislators of the Reconstruction era, it would be impossible for a black man today to run for president.

Oct 15, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Collateral Damage: Reporting the War in Iraq Collateral Damage: Reporting the War in Iraq

Three new books vividly portray the devastating impact of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Oct 15, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Chris Toensing

‘He’s Not One of Us’ ‘He’s Not One of Us’

The wisdom of the crowd.

Oct 15, 2008 / Column / Calvin Trillin

The Kingston Trio and the Red Scare The Kingston Trio and the Red Scare

The death of Nick Reynolds, one of the Kingston Trio, last week at 75, provoked fond memories of one era and painful reminders of another.

Oct 14, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Peter Dreier and Jim Vrabel

Chocolate News: Is Obama Really Black? Chocolate News: Is Obama Really Black?

Comedian David Alan Grier implores White America to get over its irrational fear of voting for a Black man.

Oct 14, 2008 / Chocolate News

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