http://www.swans.com/
December 31, 2007 - January 1, 2008
In this issue:
Note from the Editors: Have the neocons joined forces with the
"liberal" media, or vice versa? To hear that William "bomb Iran" Kristol
is joining the insipid Roger Cohen, the sanctimonious David Brooks, and
the insufferable Thomas Friedman in The New York Times' Op-Ed quiver to
become the fourth arrow of a reactionary quartet gives credence to
Kristol's opinion that the paper of the East Cost Establishment "is
irredeemable." Bring back TimesSelect so we can opt out! Even our
Infamous PredictionsTM could not have imagined such an obnoxious bit of
news -- better stick to our yearly predictions! At least they bring
laughter to the rescue, and they are followed by Carol Warner Christen's
own wish list for 2008. If change can happen at the paper of record why
not at Swans? Gilles d'Aymery has a message for our readers. Like at the
Gray Lady, change is in the offing, though at a much more modest level.
We begin the New Year with an excellent assortment of essays, starting
with a heartfelt remembrance of writer Ivan Gold by Charles Marowitz
that serves as an inspiration to read his works and a reminder to
appreciate the deep bonds of friendship. On the political front, Jan
Baughman ponders the implications of America's regressive acts and
oxymoronic acronyms, and Martin Murie imagines the dodo on the back of
Interior Director Dirk Kempthorne, who has broken James Watt's esteemed
record on protection of species. Michael Doliner provides a
comprehensive overview of the beliefs of Sunnis compared to Shi'ites,
the latter being closer to the medieval philosophy of Leo Strauss, which
does not bode well for a successful outcome to America's meddling in
Iraq. Gerard Donnelly Smith examines contradictory evidence to General
Petraeus's claims on the "success" of the surge. And with only a few
days remaining until the beginning of the end of the perpetual 2008 US
presidential election campaign (i.e., the Iowa caucuses), Philip
Greenspan adds his perspective on the charade of change, and it ain't
pretty!
Far from that political burlesque road show, Isidor Saslav reports on
his recent trip to attend the Spanish Cinema Now film festival and take
a musical tour of New York; Peter Byrne reviews "What Is The What, The
Autobiography Of Valentino Achak Deng"; Marie Rennard shares the rare
moments of "fun" in her otherwise mundane life as a housewife and
mother; and the always creative Guido Monte and Francesca Saieva share
old ideas about woman's enigma in their multilingual poetry.
As always, please form your OWN opinion, and let your friends (and foes)
know about Swans. It's your voice that makes ours grow.
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http://www.swans.com/library/art14/xxx124.html
2008 Infamous Predictions TM - SWANS
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/carenc25.html
Infamously Incredible Predictions For 2008 - Carol Warner Christen
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/ga244.html
Message To Our Readers - Gilles d'Aymery
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/cmarow94.html
Parting Words - Charles Marowitz
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/jeb183.html
Acrimonious Acronyms And The USA FUBAR - Jan Baughman
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/murie41.html
Dodo Lives - Martin Murie
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/mdolin27.html
Of Sunnis, Shi'ites, And Strauss - Michael Doliner
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/gsmith99.html
The Insurgent Word: Surge - Gerard Donnelly Smith
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pgreen128.html
No Beauty Will Win The Beauty Contest - Philip Greenspan
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/saslav05.html
Five Films, Three Operas, And A Mystery Symphony In New York
- Isidor Saslav
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/pbyrne58.html
On The Dinka Express - Book Review by Peter Byrne
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/marier14.html
Priapic And Libidinous - Humor by Marie Rennard
http://www.swans.com/library/art14/gmonte34.html
Journey To The Sleep Doors: Sybilla
- Poem by Guido Monte & Francesca Saieva
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