Whew!

Quite a week here at Xerxes. My computer is failing me so I am using the public library. This always poses a quandry. So many...so little... Anyway I got out with just eight books----the limit. Amongst them a great new Dictionary of Biography published by Houghton Mifflin and an old favorite, The Living Novel by V.S. Pritchett.

ArtsJournal: Daily Arts News

Here's a chance to weigh in on the future of classical music --- ArtsJournal: Daily Arts News AND YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF A TRIP TO ASPEN! Those of us who thrive on the classics worry about the future of our orchestras. Underfunded but increasingly undermusiced. Is the classical repretoire frozen? Do we retreat with our CD's to some cave subject to the rebuke of the SPIN patrol, or worse, simply be forgotton? Join the fray.

The New Yorker: The Critics: Books

It was fascinating to watch the Clintons last night at what clearly is their home field. Clearly Bill is the master of this domain and Hilary is proving that intensity of purpose and hard work can bring one into the inner circle. If nothing else they remain fascinating character studies. The New Yorker: The Critics: Books

Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen : Reflections at Sixty and Beyond

Xerxes has actually been asked to reprise his enthusiastic recommendation of Larry McMurtry's fascinating, rambling long essay. It is probably not so helpful to pick out passages to woo this book to those who have not read it. Suffice that McMurtry comes to grips with that time in life when the aquisition of knowledge begins to pale beside the understanding of it. Much wisdom here. Great insight and some wonderful laughs. Amazon.com: Books: Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen : Reflections at Sixty and Beyond

Why Artists Are Rallying Against Bush

Business Week has a piece this week on the wholesale support of the artistic community of anyone but Bush. The article posits that there is not so much a groundswell for John Kerry as a fear of erosion of civil liberties. So. Whoopi can lick Bush, secure that the only law she broke was that of good taste. BW Online | July 21, 2004 | Why Artists Are Rallying Against Bush

Just Musing

Eric Sevareid was a CBS News Correspondent. He was a Murrow hire and his career lasted well over forty years. When he retired, he was asked to recall his most memorable Presidential interview. He replied that he had many memorable interviews but the one that spoke the most about how the Presidency had changed was one he had with Harry Truman. Sevaraid said that both he and the President were staying at the Muelbach Hotel in Kansas City in the early 1950's. Sevaraid used the house phone to ring the President's suite. Truman himself picked up the phone and told Sevaraid to come up, but to stop first at the newstand and pick up a bottle of bourbon. Sevaraid dutifully purchased a bottle of Old Crow and went upstairs to share it with the President over an interview.

I read that Bush's recent trip to Normandy cost more than the 1944 D Day invasion, with over 5000 people involved in his direct security. Even a litre of Dr. Pepper wouldn't get a poor reporter very far today.

I suppose the true question is whether we are better served as citizens with the present standoff between the 'media' and the politician. We certainly have more news and it is processed at incredible speed. Is it any better?

Gmail - Inbox

Mother Beeb

Here is a fascinating review of John Lloyd's latest book on the pernicious effect, in his mind at least, of the British media in politics. Interesting, that Lloyd seems to have picked up an increasingly popular view that the media should refrain from assuming a powerful role in managing people's minds. Seems like a hopelessly unrealistic criticism. After all if the media does not control us then who will? LRB | Thomas Jones : Short Cuts

JibJab.com

JUST PLAY IT. JibJab.com

Mind Moving Over?

Here's an interesting piece on the planet at nine billion. This author speculates that it might not be that bad. I'm not sure that I care to test his theories empirically. But, want to or not we must face this challenge. Burgeoning populations, especially in the 'third world' would seem to make it inevitable that we grow to such numbers. Anyway, take a read. It does provoke some thought.Prospect Magazine - Britain's Intelligent Conversation

Elizabeth Edwards

I suppose that I should not confess this, but I have been surprised at the qualities demonstrated by Senator Edward's wife, Elizabeth. She seems extraordiarily well versed, cheery and energetic. I suspect that she will be a formidable campaigner. If you are as unfamilar with her as I was, you might want to look at this piece from the New Republic. - More Useful Everyday

Allons Enfants

On this day in 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille Prison, marking the start of the French Revolution. The word "bastille" means "fortress." The Bastille had been built by Charles V around 1370 to guard the entrance into Paris. The prison was a rectangular building with eight round towers joined by plain walls about a hundred feet high. The structure was able to house forty-two prisoners. Entry was restricted to a single gateway protected by two bridges over the surrounding moat.

By 1789 the people of Paris had grown to hate the Bastille. It was expensive to run and had become a symbol of the arbitrary power of the regime. On this day, July 14th, 1789, an angry mob destroyed the prison with guns, cannons, fire and their bare hands. The Governor of the Bastille attempted to surrender, but the mob wouldn't accept it, and he was stabbed in the stomach with a bayonet as the mob poured through the gates. No guards were left alive, and the prisoners were released and carried through the streets of Paris along with the heads of those killed. Storm clouds had been gathering all day and rain fell in torrents that evening while Paris celebrated its victory. It was the beginning of the French Revolution.

Today is Bastille Day, France's most important national holiday, celebrated with a military parade on the Champs-Elysees and fireworks at the Trocadero. Every village in France holds its own celebration with champagne, street activities and dancing. The Writer's Almanac

Batter Up!

Well sport fans, here it is. The mid-summer classic -- the baseball All-Star Game plays tonight in Houston. Beers and Hot Dogs for everyone!

Widen the Focus

Two Americas is Just the Start

First term Senator John Edwards campaigned on a theme of "two Americas"
-- one for the rich, and one for everyone else. To a certain extent, he's right. But America is more like a multitude of different things to different people. The simplicity involved in facile dichotomies is tempting but often dead wrong. Just as we are not universally 'red' or 'blue'; we are a country of enormous diversity and complexity. Anyone who has spent much time in more homogeneous realms such as France or Japan usually breathes a huge sigh of relief when they hit our shores.

These internal differences encompass both the good and the bad. In Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, the AIDS infection rates are
nearing three percent. Unless health officials take action now, we could see the kind of AIDS pandemic in the inner city that we now see in southern Africa and Thailand.

Meanwhile, retirement homes in Florida and Arizona host people who stay active well into their hundreds.

In San Francisco an elderly Chinese woman carries two huge bags of rice on a pole across her back. In Los Angeles, where nobody walks unless they have to, people will drive two blocks to pick up a latte from the coffee shop.

Can one candidate or ticket appeal to all of the Americas? Almost
certainly not. Kerry and Edwards' task, then, is to envision a path that does the best for the future of America -- and hope that vision can cross the borders of class and culture that shape our lives.

Lies

The Senate Intelligence Committee report issued today is a devasting document. Devastating not because it points out eloqently and focefully the failures of the various intelligence agencies, which it does; but because it demonstrates beyond any doubt the determination of the administration to go to war with Iraq under any circumstance. It is chilling to read. This should be an indictment. Given the thoroughness of the report, it is difficult to envision a meaningful rebuttal. The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Contributor: Force Spies to Work Together

'Embellished Speech'

My Mother was a person who adhered to very strict codes of personal behavior. Despite her attempts, few of her maxims survived into your correspondent. One of her most sacred rules was to avoid profanity, whatever the reason might be. Her objections were only partially based in good taste. One, of course, avoided vulgar references to bodily functions, but her real cause was that embellished speech, as she called it, was a sign of a weak vocabulary. An educated person should have a sufficient arsenal of decent English at hand to meet any circumstance. Anna Quindlan, whose birthday it is today, speaks eloquently of the effect of profanity. Cheney's remarks are not so notable because they are rare, but because they are so common. MSNBC - A Foul Mouth And Manhood

Think About It

So you're King Karl Rove this morning. The Edwards attack dogs have been unleashed. But how are things at home? What thoughts are being given to dropping the F-Bomber? We would need a new Geppetto, but that shouldn't be a problem. Excuses, well the health thing is always there. Fascinating to ponder such a dramatic move, but you can be sure it is being spitballed in various quarters. Just don't bet on it. The New Yorker: The Talk of the Town

Kerry picks Edwards

So now the games begin. It is hard to quarrel with Kerry's choice. Edwards appears to be both safe and popular. Economist.com | Kerry picks Edwards

At Rest

What better way to enjoy a holiday than to have a 'real' holiday follow? Especially when the hoiday is Indepencence Day which causes us to take our country to a sort of collective examination of conscience. It also marks the passage of the first half of the year. We blow the dust off of our resolutions and check with navigation to assure ourselves that we can bring our ship of self to safe harbor by year end. The matters of self, I leave to each of you individually. For our country, may I suggest one of Alistair Cookes last legacies to our country which he loved so much but which was not his. This survey done by the Beeb is by it's own admission far from definitive. Reading these comments, however, should give us pause. A happy fifth to all and may we return to work tomorrow refreshed and enlightened! BBC NEWS | Programmes | wtwta | What do you think of America?

Madeira?

Fourth of July Celebrations

Here is a splendid compilation of information about our National Holiday, Independence Day, The FOURTH OF JULY. Fireworks, hot dogs and such are all important parts of our celebrations, let's not forget why we celebrate.Fourth of July Celebrations Database

G Spot

We all need a cause about which we can agree. Garrison Keillor has come up with one. Our wonderful National Anthem is a bear to sing. but try it as this crowd at Wolf Trap does in the key of G. Works wonders.A Prairie Home Companion: "Sing the national anthem�and try it in the key of G" - From the Desk of Garrison Keillor

Light the Skies!

Let me see if I can give you the Xerxes recipe for a splendid Fourth.

Always start the day with a full reading of the Declaration of Independence. The New York Times publishes a complete facsimile version. It is a document seldom read through for content and it is a mighty worthwhile thing to do. To think of Jefferson, Adams and other contributors confecting this document is to reflect upon the historical context of the time in which it was drafted. But the true accomplishment of the Declaration of Independence is how the universal political maxims expounded upon therein have stood the test of time.

Meals should be taken out of doors if possible. American Embassies overseas open their doors on the Fourth to any and all on this day (security ever watchful). They offer hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and ice cream accompanied by American beer and wine. We could all do worse than follow their example.

A baseball game is a good diversion, water sport always a hit with kids, perhaps a parade and if you are truly lucky a concert will be available in your area to conclude the day. Any activity to bring you into contact with fellow celebrants should bring some reward.

As depicted below, the only way to end the evening is with massive booming and flashing fireworks. If your town doesn't have them then join those packed in the Esplanade in Boston, along the East River in New York or on the Mall in D.C. on television for a fitting end to our National DAY. (May George Plimpton Rest in Peace, see below)

July 4

Directly from high atop magnificent Xerxes Tower, the entire staff of Xerxes, here at Headquarters, wishes all our readers a memorable, thoughtful and festive Fourth of July. We direct you to the resources of The Library of Congress. Today in History: July 4

It is always somewhat eerie to recall that on the Fourth of July, 1825, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within a few hours of each other, fifty years to the day after their greatest creation was announced to the world. Chou En Lai is famously reported to have said, "It is too soon to tell", when asked what he thought of the French Revolution. I suspect that even Mr. Chou would be venturing some tentative opinions about ours by now. Enjoy the Day!

Two Democracies

It is encouraging to note that 350,000 took to the Hong Kong streets yesterday to protest Beijing's anti-democratic policies. SCMP.com - the online edition of South China Morning Post, Hong Kong's premier English-language newspaper Were it only Iraq. The desire for political freedom or democracy is treasured by the HK citizens because they had it and they see it eroding away. Three cheers for their courage! Compare our situation in Iraq. The July/August Atlantic Monthly recounts in an article by Robert D. Kaplan the pitiful efforts of a USMarine Commander to win hearts and minds. He ordered all his soldiers to wear moustaches (I guess it was spirit gum for the women). This was to demonstrate our 'cultural sensitivity'. Well, that didn't seem to work so well, so on the eve of a battle for Fallujah he ordered the men to shave, stating that: "Gents, let me tell you what this is all about, it's about killing shitheads". (Unfortunately the Kaplan article, "Five Days in Fallujah" appears in the print edition only). I guess now the Fallujans really appreciate democracy.

Reasons to be Miserable

George Santayana's bromide that those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it ought to be carved someplace prominently in the District of Columbia. I would suggest Foggy Bottom, but no one seems to pay much attention to those poor souls anymore. As we hastily beat our retreat from Iraq, let us count our achievements. Hundreds of Americans have died and many more have been disabled to destroy a threat that was not there. (Another score for our brilliant spooks). Billions of our dollars (unlike Gulf War I, we have received no Saudi subsidy or measurable support from the coalition of the willing save the hapless Brits who seemed to have made the mistake of believing us) have been wasted to destroy an alleged link to terrorism that has not yet been discerned. We have alienated our friends and confirmed the worst propaganda of our enemies. Our disdain for the United Nations has compromised it as an institution to such an extent that it cannot mount an effort to combat the unspeakable genocide coursing through Africa at this very moment. I truly hope that someone reading this will assist me by pointing out anything positive that has come from this shameful exercise in hubris called 'Iraqi Freedom'. Perhaps we can now listen to Santayana, but wasn't "never again" the only good thing to come out of Vietnam? As somewhat of a distraction from the mess that Wolfowitz and his colleagues, both above and below, have created, but more as a lesson, I suggest the article cited below by James Meeks who deconstructs with a keen scalpel Russian attempts at empire. Small comfort that we have not been alone. Smaller still when prior failed attempts at this type of foreign intervention were there for us to study. LRB | James Meek : Reasons to be Miserable

Stealth Handover

It was sad to see the transition to new government in Iraq occur in secret, two days before the scheduled occasion. This humiliation was caused by fears that the 'insurgents' might disrupt the affair or use it as a focus of further violence. I was reminded of Cheney's admonition to us, prior to the invasion, that Iraqi citizens would pave their streets with flowers in gratitude for ......what is it now we were supposed to do, and supposed to have finished over a year ago? Perhaps his lack of prescience is the reason he is cursing Senators and being booed at baseball games. Now the rebulding begins.The Spectator.co.uk