The Plank
The Thick Of It
Did this fantastic BBC show ever develop a US following? Months after watching the first three episodes, I finally caught the second trio last night. The show--about the foibles of a hapless UK government minister and the various flunkies, operatives and media hacks in his orbit--is utterly brilliant. Anyone who's made a living in politics or political media will appreciate its dead-on details and pitch-perfect ear for the absurdity and black cynicism that pervades the business. READ MORE >>
In Today's Web Magazine
The American literature scholar Andrew Delbanco reflects on what it means to study war at a distance; Dorothy J. READ MORE >>
John Mccain And Kids These Days
When I was in high school, I landed a summer internship with Arizona Senator Dennis DeConcini. (One of my Hebrew School teachers was his office manager. It really is all about who you know.) A big perk for the interns was getting to have lunch with famous Arizonans--including John McCain. It was 1990 and one of the big issues on the Hill that summer was a proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw burning the American flag. McCain was a staunch supporter of the proposed amendment and so, during the lunch, I asked him why he supported it. READ MORE >>
