The Poetry of America’s Best and the Brightest The Poetry of America’s Best and the Brightest
The students at Bunker Hill Community College may have difficult lives. But the best are as bright as any Ivy Leaguer.
Sep 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Wick Sloane
What Remains: On the European Union What Remains: On the European Union
How the twentieth century’s confidence in social solidarity, human dignity and a better future died a slow, quiet death.
Sep 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Mark Mazower
Syria Syria
…and when, then, the imagination is transmogrified in circles of hatred, circles of vengeance and killing, of stealing and deceit? Behind the global imperia is the interrogation cell. It’s not a good story. Neither the Red Crescent nor journalists are permitted entry, the women tell how men and boys are separated, taken in buses and never seen again, tanks in the streets with machine guns with no shells in the barrels because the army fears that those who will use them might defect. Who knows what has happened, what is happening, what will happen? God knows. God knows everything. The boy? He is much more than Mafia; he, and his, own the country. His militias will fight to the death if for no other reason than if he’s overthrown they will be killed, too. “Iraq, you remember Iraq, don’t you?” she shouts, a refugee. Her English is good. Reached via Skype, she speaks anonymously, afraid of repercussions. “You won’t believe what I have seen”—her voice lowered almost to a whisper—“a decapitated body with a dog’s head sewn on it, for example.” Yes, I know, it’s much more complicated than that. “It’s the arena right now where the major players are,” the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs concludes his exclusive CNN interview. Dagestan—its province in the North Caucasus—is what the Russians compare it to, warring clans, sects; Lebanese-like civil war will break out and spread across the region. Online, a report—Beirut, the Associated Press— this morning, “28 minutes ago. 4 Said to Be Dead at Syrian University,” one Samer Qawass, thrown, it is said, by pro-regime students out of the fifth-floor window of his dormitory room, dying instantly from the fall…
Sep 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Lawrence Joseph
Shelf Life Shelf Life
The Collected Writings of Joe Brainard.
Sep 5, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky
Calling In the Humanizer Man Calling In the Humanizer Man
Analysts say that Romney campaign strategists face the challenge of humanizing their candidate. —News reports They’d like it if this man the folks are seeing Resembled more an actual human being. For that he’d need some warmth and shmaltz and soul; Then he’d appear less plastic and more whole. So in their dreams of triumph they aspire To show that their guy bleeds and may perspire, This can be done at once, without delay: The Humanizer Man is on his way. Yes, any candidate with boardlike stiffness Can be adjusted with surprising swiftness. The Humanizer Man’s done this before. Though he fell short of loosening Al Gore, He’s had a host of triumphs in his day. So if Mitt’s men believe, to their dismay, Their man’s as human as a Charolais. No need to cry “¡Caramba!” or “Oy vey!” For everything is going to be OK. To give him hope you only have to say, “The Humanizer Man is on his way.”
Sep 5, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Ai Weiwei and the Art of Protest Ai Weiwei and the Art of Protest
The courageous Chinese dissident has always had an eye for the point where art and politics meet in performance.
Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Danielle Allen
Medicare to the Forefront Medicare to the Forefront
Polls show that Medicare is now the third most vital issue of the campaign, and Paul Ryan’s plan to change it is unpopular with likely voters. —News reports Yes, any talk of Medicare Is almost guaranteed to scare A lot of voters everywhere. Though Medicare, in truth, has ne’er Been short of signs of wear and tear— Its funding source may need repair— Most folks are fierce in guarding their Entitlements, and they declare That any change would be unfair, Would cheat them out of their fair share. So politicians are aware There’s always risk in going there. They keep their distance from that snare. You cannot win the Croix de Guerre By meddling with Medicare. Your fate’s more likely to compare To agonizing mal de mer, A bad encounter with a bear, A trip to the electric chair. So talk of Medicare is rare, But Ryan’s put it in the air. And some Republicans despair.
Aug 29, 2012 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Pariahs’ Progress: On Isolationism Pariahs’ Progress: On Isolationism
For Christopher McKnight Nichols, isolationists were cultural cosmopolitans who distrusted the impact of empire.
Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Jackson Lears
The Antagonist: On Lillian Hellman The Antagonist: On Lillian Hellman
How did Lillian Hellman become the archetype of hypocrisy?
Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Victor Navasky
Scissor Work: On the Unintended Reformation Scissor Work: On the Unintended Reformation
Brad Gregory wants to upend how we think about the emergence of capitalism, secularism and individualism.
Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen