David Rodeback's BlogLocal Politics and Culture, National Politics,
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Saturday, January 28, 2006ReadingsMy favorite readings for the week, as usual. Titles range from "Biology's Revenge" to "Republican Skirts on Fire." Tributes to Mozart and to older brothers are included. Not About Politics (Sometimes we read just because the writing is good, no matter the topic.) Charles Krauthammer remembers his older brother, who passed away this week. Paul Greenberg writes on Mozart, who had an anniversary this week. The World Writing in The New Republic, Joseph Braude supposes it might be fanciful to assume that Hamas' electoral victory this week will temper it. The Economist discusses Russian foreign relations and some of the motives behind them. Paul Jackson analyzes the Conservative victory in Canada, and what it may and may not mean. Victor David Hanson parses Osama bin Laden's talking points. American Fork The Salt Lake Tribune reports on the creation of a brief waiting period for developers in the interest of historic preservation. Barbara Christiansen reports on a developer who wants to make nice to his potential neighbors in northwest AF. Lobbying, Corruption, Etc. Michael Barone suggests that our national politics aren't pretty, but aren't necessarily badly broken, either. Thomas Sowell presents his answers to political corruption in high places in three parts (Part I, Part II, Part III). He's an economist, so he looks at costs and incentives -- and comes up with a suggestion that makes sense, would probably work (and save a lot of money), but would be wildly unpopular politically. Cal Thomas has a less cataclysmic approach -- not his own idea, but a piece of legislation proposed on Capitol Hill. George Will's profile of Tom DeLay has a different view of earmarks. The Parties David Limbaugh, at Townhall.com, sees signs of Democratic bankruptcy -- and not the financial kind, either. When Mona Charen titles her piece, "Republican Skirts on Fire," you have to read it, don't you? Apparently, the roof is caving in, too. Pondering Government Paul Greenberg wrote this intelligent piece on federalism. Walter Williams wonders, Do we trust government? Should we? Which programs are actually necessary? What did we do before [insert your favorite government program here]? Here's Jonah Goldberg on technology, tyranny, and Vice President Cheney, of all people. Peggy Noonan discusses the world and President Bush's place in it, and how to improve State of the Union speeches. Hollywood Linda Chavez muses on Hollywood and Washington. Despite her critique, I continue to enjoy The West Wing -- not that I've had time to watch it, lately, or Commander in Chief, either. George Will attempts to correct Hollywood's latest portrayal of basketball (and racial) history. (Why should facts get in the way of a good story, right?) Miscellany Rich Lowry talks about boys and education, mostly, in "Biology's Revenge." Dick Morris notes that the people at large, unlike the media and much of Washington, don't see the Supreme Court as Super-Congress, and ponders the implications of that. Kathleen Parker is not entirely complimentary to Wal-Mart, and invites such questions as, Should we shop with our wallets or our consciences? Can a piece of salmon at Super Wal-Mart be morally inferior to a piece at Albertson's or even McGrath's? Would our collective thirst for cheap stuff be strong enough for Wal-Mart to prosper if we weren't being taxed halfway back to the Stone Age?
Copyright 2006 by David Rodeback. |
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