May 7, 2018
- Jonah Goldberg's Defense of Capitalism — Adam Keiper
- McConnell Looks on the Bright Side — Fred Barnes
- The Parallel Universe of the New York Times — P. J. O'Rourke
This May 2018 issue featured Joseph Horowitz's major cover story examining Leonard Bernstein's legacy on the centennial of his birth, exploring both his achievements and limitations in advancing American classical music. The issue also included Adam Keiper's review of Jonah Goldberg's defense of capitalism in his book, alongside regular political commentary on Senate leadership, media criticism, and international affairs including Britain's military spending and Jeremy Corbyn's relationship with Jewish voters.
Articles in the Archive — 26
Jonah Goldberg’s Defense of Capitalism
'Suicide of the West' is a big, baggy, sometimes brilliant case for gratitude and perpetuation.
A Wunderkind at 100
Leonard Bernstein prophesied an American classical music; his disillusionment and disappointments mirrored the nation’s.
Appropriations Are Terrible. Entitlement Spending Is Far Worse
The problem is entitlement spending, not appropriations
A War to Be Won
"The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on April 4. “The United States and our partners remain committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that…
Kanye, Trump, and 'Dragon Energy'
A bracing reminder of an easily forgotten commonplace.
First the Victory, Then the Celebration
“We suffered with Obamacare,” Trump said. “Make no mistake. This is a repeal and replace of Obamacare. Make no mistake about it,” he declared before pausing for a personal boast. “I predicted it a long time ago. I said it’s failing and now it’s obvious that it’s failing. It’s dead—it’s essentially…
Pat Buchanan Embraces His Inner Fascist
It’s springtime for Pat Buchanan.
Political Memoirs Used to Be Rare. Those Were the Days.
By happy coincidence, on the very day that ex-FBI director James Comey published his self-serving memoir, my wife and I happened to be rummaging around in the George C. Marshall research library on the campus of Marshall’s alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, in Lexington. It was entirely…
Radio Free America
Cumulus Media, the third largest terrestrial radio chain in the country, is bankrupt, and it’s making some drastic moves. Earlier this spring, it dropped Don Imus, the legendary—if now fossilized—morning host. And now there are rumors that Cumulus is looking to cut Michael Savage, one of talk…
The Assault on the Press? Fake News.
There’s nothing the media love more than a story about themselves. And if it isn’t about them, they’ll make it so.
Forget the House. The GOP Just Needs to Hold the Senate.
The Senate majority leader is not depressed.
P.J. O’Rourke Travels to the NYT Parallel Universe, Where Hillary Won
It has different math, geography, and history. And Hillary is president.
The Chinese Now ‘Clap’ With Their Smartphones. Why That’s Creepy.
The politics of applause.
Britain’s Labour Party Has an Anti-Semitism Problem
Jeremy Corbyn’s Jewish problem.
The Slow, Sad Decline of the British Military
Britain’s military should be growing. It’s not.
Seeing the Sublime in Mathematics
Euler’s identity: Genius, discovery, elegance.
Evidence for Optimism
You’ve got to admit it’s getting better.
Feathers and Fancy
‘Pasta for Nightingales’: A charming Renaissance collection of birdlore and beauty.
Sound, Sense…and Self?
The challenges of teaching poetry.
Godard Mon Amour: A Biting biopic
Bumping an idol of French cinema off his pedestal.
Fake News About Fake News
Journalists in the mainstream media often sound as though they have no idea why anybody would entertain skepticism about the news media. The term “media bias” is, to them, a ruse. Complaints about “fake news” are evidence of stupidity or delusion.
A Beautiful Bye-Bye
It wasn’t with shock but with relief that The Scrapbook greeted the news that a Washington tradition is coming to an end: “After nearly 15 years, The Hill is bidding a beautiful bye-bye to its annual 50 Most Beautiful list.”
Take the Girl, Leave the Bull
Readers may remember Fearless Girl, the 50-inch-tall bronze statue of an intrepid young girl, placed in front of the famous Charging Bull sculpture in Lower Manhattan. The girl, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced, will be moved to a new location nearby—in front of the New York…
The Barry Legacy Lives On
Most Americans can name only one local politician from Washington, D.C., and that happens to be the city’s “mayor for life” Marion Barry, famously busted in 1990 for smoking crack in an FBI sting operation (“bitch set me up!”). In March, the city unveiled a bronze statue to Barry on Pennsylvania…
Sentences We Didn’t Finish
"When the audience of more than 300 began to clap and howl, Madeleine K. Albright entered the Georgetown University auditorium. She waved. She winked. The clapping grew louder, especially from young women in the room. They smiled giddily, checked to make sure their phones were on silent and opened…
So Long at the Fair
Priscilla M. Jensen, at the fair.