Without His Nurse Without His Nurse
Galyna Kolotnytska, described in diplomatic cables as the “voluptuous blond” nurse who accompanies Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi everywhere, has returned to Ukraine. —News reports While everybody says, “Just go!” His countrymen all surely know Adversity seems more adverse Without his nurse. “He’s bonkers,” people say. “That might Be why he rants into the night.” His talks get further still from terse Without his nurse. The body count is now quite large; He’s killed a lot to stay in charge. And all this killing must seem worse Without his nurse. It has to bring this man much pain To bear the crumbling of his reign And see his fortunes in reverse Without his nurse. Yes, Muammar now has to face This hatred from the human race And angry crowds that won’t disperse Without his nurse. The banks freeze billions of his loot. His people sorely want to boot Him out, or put him in a hearse Without his nurse. Could Allah show a bit of mercy And send poor Mu-Mu back his nursie?
Mar 10, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
BOOK REVIEW: Tamara Chalabi’s ‘Late for Tea at the Deer Palace’ BOOK REVIEW: Tamara Chalabi’s ‘Late for Tea at the Deer Palace’
Ahmed Chalabi’s daughter recounts the family’s saga and the ancien regime.
Mar 7, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Bob Dreyfuss
Then They Came for the Pensions Then They Came for the Pensions
Alter-reviews of French movies and some new tunes, Reed explains the secret war on pensions, and the mail.
Mar 4, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman
Governor Scott Walker Talks to ‘David Koch’ Governor Scott Walker Talks to ‘David Koch’
Scott Walker said that he was just a bloke Who, knowing that his state was going broke, Saw saving measures that he must invoke. But then, when he obsequiously spoke To someone who he thought was David Koch (It wasn’t Koch; a guy had played a joke), The phone pals made it clear they’d like to choke Off unions’ rights, and saw this as the stroke— A stroke disguised within a budget cloak— To start the unions’ going up in smoke. No surprise there.
Mar 3, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Wrinkles in Time: On Joanna Ruocco Wrinkles in Time: On Joanna Ruocco
For Joanna Ruocco, language is a multiplier of worlds, a portal to alternate realities.
Mar 3, 2011 / Books & the Arts / David Carroll Simon
An Accelerated Grimace: On Cyber-Utopianism An Accelerated Grimace: On Cyber-Utopianism
Clay Shirky's Cognitive Surplus is the latest monotonous revery about the Internet social revolution. Evgeny Morozov punctures that bubble.
Mar 3, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Chris Lehmann
A Signature Copy A Signature Copy
Abbas Kiarostami's Certified Copy; Matt Porterfield's Putty Hill; Patricio Guzmán's Nostalgia for the Light; J. Hoberman's new book, An Army of Phantoms
Mar 3, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Stuart Klawans
Walkouts, Payouts and Lockouts Walkouts, Payouts and Lockouts
Why the NFL's labor dispute should matter to you.
Feb 17, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman
The Upside of Censorship The Upside of Censorship
Sometimes the censor is art’s best friend.
Feb 17, 2011 / Books & the Arts / JoAnn Wypijewski
Ronald Reagan Superstar Ronald Reagan Superstar
Reagan proved that deficits don't matter—and truth doesn't either.
Feb 17, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman