Culture

Rick Perry Compares Himself to Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow Rick Perry Compares Himself to Denver Broncos Quarterback Tim Tebow

So Perry is fond of debates now, He’s calling himself in these rumbles An Iowa caucuses Tebow— Except for how often he fumbles.

Dec 21, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Five Worst Political Books of 2011 Five Worst Political Books of 2011

Bill Clinton on jobs, Chris Matthews on JFK and Dick Cheney on himself.

Dec 21, 2011 / 5 Books / Jon Wiener

Regarding Christopher

Regarding Christopher Regarding Christopher

Hitchens could be a moral bully and a black-and-white thinker, but as a vivid presence he will long be remembered.

Dec 19, 2011 / Blog / Katha Pollitt

The Perils of the Front-Runner in a Horse Race The Perils of the Front-Runner in a Horse Race

Though Romney was leading right out of the gate, He’s also a guy some conservatives hate. But all other entries they managed to find Were scratched from the start or have fallen behind. So now they’ve decided that Newt is a whiz— The horse that they’re backing, corrupt as he is. Thus Gingrich, now galloping (though he’s quite husky), May make Romney look like the late Edmund Muskie.

Dec 14, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin

An Opening in Burma? On Thant Myint-U

An Opening in Burma? On Thant Myint-U An Opening in Burma? On Thant Myint-U

Hopes for reform in Burma are starting to be fulfilled, but skepticism of its rulers is still warranted.

Dec 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Kurlantzick

Their Power Their Power

An Epigram [1851] Immense armies, generals bold, Police—covert, overt, of both sexes— ‘gainst whom are these aggressors?— A few ideas… that aren’t new but old…!   (Translated from the Polish by Danuta Borchardt)

Dec 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Cyprian Norwid

Shelf Life

Shelf Life Shelf Life

Anne Rophie’s Art and Madness, Millicent Monk’s Songs of Three Islands, Maisie Houghton’s Pitch Uncertain.

Dec 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Elias Altman

Signs of Protest: Occupy’s Guerilla Semiotics

Signs of Protest: Occupy’s Guerilla Semiotics Signs of Protest: Occupy’s Guerilla Semiotics

Does the content of a demonstration always exceed and fall short of its ostensible message?

Dec 14, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Barry Schwabsky

Lamentations of the Late-Night Comics Lamentations of the Late-Night Comics

While Jimmy Fallon tears his hair, Bill Maher laments, “It’s just not fair.” Dave Letterman begins to pout. They’ve heard that Herman Cain is out.   In common with his late-night peers, Jon Stewart comes quite close to tears, He’d much prefer a case of gout To hearing Herman Cain is out.   “The man is threatening our jobs,” Says Leno, as he softly sobs. Colbert is staggering about. He’s heard that Herman Cain is out.   They pray together, on their knees: “Could we have Donald Trump back—please?”

Dec 7, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin

Of Saints and Caudillos: On Enrique Krauze

Of Saints and Caudillos: On Enrique Krauze Of Saints and Caudillos: On Enrique Krauze

A Mexican intellectual takes the measure of liberalism and revolution in twentieth-century Latin America.

Dec 6, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jorge Volpi

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