When I feel ornery about the state of world affairs, I turn to Dan Whitman for a cure. Because he gifted me a large stack of his books, he doesn’t always know this. Whitman’s essays reflect on wide-ranging issues for the foreign affairs professional. They cut across decades (mostly post World War II) and continents … Continue reading Answer Coming Soon
ISIS
What Would You Do About Bad Journalism?
I never thought I’d say this: Sarah Palin is right. “What would you do, if elected president, about Aleppo,” can only be described as Gotcha Journalism. The question is particularly egregious in a conversation like the one between Gary Johnson and Mike Barnicle on MSNBC. The two were talking about domestic politics, the role of … Continue reading What Would You Do About Bad Journalism?
Fireworks in the Kingdom
News sources are reporting three suicide attacks in different cities around Saudi Arabia during the last 24 hours, just as Ramadan comes to an end in the Kingdom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EgZ-gpdx3I An explosion in the Eastern Province targeted Shiites at a mosque in Quatif. There appear to be no injuries or deaths other than that of the suicide bomber. An explosion outside one of … Continue reading Fireworks in the Kingdom
Hands Off My Free Speech
Hate-speech promoter Pam Geller reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld's dentist, Tim Whately and his quest for total joke-telling immunity. When Jerry tells Father Curtis he thinks Whately converted to Judaism for the jokes, the priest asks, "And this offends you as a Jewish person?" "No," says Jerry. "It offends me as a comedian." Geller's irrational defense of … Continue reading Hands Off My Free Speech
Review–Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Marquis de Sade comedy hour? Adolf Hitler touching base with his inner child? A casual discussion of pillage and plunder with Genghis Kahn and Attila the Hun? John Altson’s Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep? An Adult Social Satire really can lighten any subject. At its core, Altson’s book is a fun riff on Jonathan … Continue reading Review–Does Harry Dream of Electric Sheep?
New York Times Responsible for Flow of ISIS Volunteers
The hyperbole above is intended in jest, of course, an eye-catching headline to mimic today's lead story on NYT's home page. It's the Times' second such sensational headline on the subject this week. America Steps Up Fight to Stem Flow of ISIS Volunteers Click to the story, however, and a different picture emerges. Suddenly the … Continue reading New York Times Responsible for Flow of ISIS Volunteers
Ben East Books 