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Two Towers, Great!
I saw Two Towers with my youngest (John Winston, now fourteen). I thought it was very well done; enjoyed the whole thing. Johnny was enraptured by it, maybe more than the first. He thought it was terrific. A passing note; the theatre in Ashland was nearly full, and the vast majority of the people were (I’d say) between thirteen and eighteen. Maybe ten percent were thirty and above. Also, virtually no females. PejmanPundit has a few good paragraphs (Dec 23) on the movie with a good Tolkien quote; his response to Nazi publishers wanting to know if he was of "Ayan" extraction:
"I regret that I am not clear as to what you intend by
arisch [Aryan]. I am not of Aryan extraction: that is,
Indo-Iranian; as far as I am aware none of my
ancestors spoke Hindustani, Persian, Gypsy, or any
related dialects. But if I am to understand that you
are enquiring if I am of Jewish origin, I can only
reply that I regret that I appear to have no ancestors
of that gifted people."
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 12/24/2002 1:33 PM
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The Right Name for the Job
In the "Getting the Right Man (or at least Right Name) for the Job" department, this morning’s WaPo reports that President Bush’s new director of congressional relations is named Hobbes (David Hobbes).
And in the "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" department, Hobbes used to be chief of staff to . . . Trent Lott.
Happy Hobbesian new year, Congress.
Posted by Steven Hayward | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/24/2002 8:51 AM
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More Christmas reading
I strongly recommend Jody Bottum’s pieces in First Things, the one last month on South Dakota Thanksgiving and this month’s on South Dakota Christmas. Wonderful writing (a vocabulary for toys that evokes Mark Helprin’s characters), memories you had or, certainly wished you had.
Posted by Ken Masugi | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/23/2002 4:02 PM
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More on Two Towers
I agree with Steven--The Two Towers was a very good film. No mushy moral relativism here! Of course, Peter Jackson could be counted on to make the most of Tolkein’s hostility to modernity. I don’t believe the author ever used the word "industry," but near the beginning of the film the evil wizard Saruman makes it clear that his goal is to bring about a new order of "industry." I also agree that Gollum stole the show. Did anyone else notice a strange resemblance between Gollum and actor Steve Buscemi?
Posted by John Moser | Link to this Entry | Comments [4] | 12/23/2002 11:17 AM
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In Praise of Marriage
This is a nice short piece praising Miss America, Erika Herold, and her positions on sex before marriage (no!) and what it may have to do with revivifying a conversation about the importance of family (and abstinance before marriage) in America.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [2] | 12/22/2002 1:23 PM
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Lott Leftovers and the Future of the GOP
Michael Barone goes through some of it again, and mentions that bloggers had to more to do with catching the meaning of the comments, and keeping it in play, than others. Diana West beat up Lott’s unprincipled ways in the Washington Timesthat I originally missed. And, I should say that judging by the way the talking heads chattered on about Frist on this Sunday morning, I don’t think The New York Times and its supporters will have any success in doing harm to Frist. The other thing made clear by the talk shows (and news surrounding the Frist victory) is that the White House is being given credit for pulling off, as David Broder said, a "coup." I think this this true and, yet, significant that their fingerprints are not all over it; very artful, very prudent. The results will give a huge opportunity for the President and the GOP to create a new majority on deeper principles than heretofore. Part of the judgment on that will be how they talk about affirmative action; if they take a principled stance on their ancient faith than we are off and running; if not, they’ll be even higher mountain to climb. I’m an optimist. See this good piece by Rogert George and also see Bill Bennett’s fine piece in yesterday’s NRO. I have my own stories from my first teaching job at Arkansas State, but that’s for another time. But I should mention to Bill that I have never been a Democrat!
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/22/2002 12:35 PM
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New Holiday Cuisine
I have been getting reports that some people are planning to make the preposterous turducken for Christmas dinner. So I am fighting back.. .
I am going a combo of pheasant and duck. Call it what you like.
Posted by Steven Hayward | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/21/2002 4:50 PM
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Two Towers First Impressions
Peter asks for initial reactions.
The movie does not contain Aragorn’s reply to Eomer that I mentioned in a previous post as being essential for preserving the integrity of Tolkien’s moral vision. However, they make up for it with an original speech by Sam at the end of the film that makes the same moral argument, and it is quite effectively done. I suspect this was consciously done by the writers.
The movie took more liberties with the book than it should have, in my mind, a couple for the better, but most for the worse. But on the whole it is a success.
Gollum steals the movie.
Posted by Steven Hayward | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/21/2002 4:45 PM
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Senator Patty Murray in Darkness
I can’t believe this stupid comment by Senator Patty Murray (D). She is talking to high school students, which makes it even more reprehensible. As my father would say, if anyone asks you why I am not a Democrat, use this as a reason why. This woman understands less about the United States and what good it has done for the world than my dog Jacob! Ask any country we have gone to war with--and rebuilt, after we beat them--about American magnanimity (including Afghanistan, most of whose roads we built before we bombed them!). I won’t quote from the news story; read the whole thing. This is the kind of stuff that makes me angry, and sometimes feeds doubt to my hope.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 12/21/2002 1:19 PM
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A Note on Frist
It shouldn’t surprise us that Bill Frist the man, the surgeon, the senator, the good samaritan, is everywhere. And its fine by me that he is being praised so. But also note in this ABC News report the start of a list of items that Demos are going to bring up, from voter intimidation to a membership in an all white golf club to inhumane treatments of cats. I couldn’t help noting in this WaPo article that he only gets four hours of sleep each night. I was also amused to hear a CNN anchor say that Dr. Frist saved the life of Senator Thurmond a few years ago when he collapsed on the Senate floor and the anchor said that if Frist wouldn’t have done it then none of this would have happened; the anchor then actually said that he had set the whole thing up. This is one smart guy.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [4] | 12/21/2002 12:57 PM
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Confederate General Byrd
It’s amusing to note that Senator Byrd will have a cameo appearance as a Confederate General in the movie "Gods and Generals." I don’t quite understand why he is playing a Confederate General when West Virginia became part of the Union in 1863. I bet there would be a huge outcry if Lott would have done this!
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 12/21/2002 12:48 PM
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James Bond and Justice
This is a pretty good review of Die Another Day by Bruce Sanborn. It mixes up Bond, Reagan and Homer Simpson nicely. If anyone has seen "The Two Towers", give me your opinion.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [2] | 12/21/2002 12:38 PM
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Counsel Post-Trent
Well we won’t have him to pun about any more.
But what about the Democrat assault on Republicans generally, on race issues. I think the affirmative action debate should be ratcheted up a notch by conservatives: Supporters of preferences should be demonized as supporters of reparations. Let them deny they support reparations and see what this does to their black support, especially if Al Sharpton hits his stride.
Robert Alt: How does this Frist affirmative action plan differ from the provision on this for Hillary care-- Frist’s is splitting the difference, isn’t it? Good catch, not a good sign for the latest target for the liberal destruction machine.
Posted by Ken Masugi | Link to this Entry | Comments [1567] | 12/21/2002 1:09 AM
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Stanford and Stem Cell Research
Dr. Leon Kass, the chairman of President Bush’s bioethics council has chastized Stanford University for misleading the public about its stem cell research program.
Kass said: "Stanford has decided to proceed with cloning research without public scrutiny and
deliberation, and has hurt the cause of public understanding of this subject by its
confusion of the issue." The Weekly Standard has a good editorial on this case.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [2] | 12/20/2002 4:31 PM
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The Good, the Money and the Need
As most of you know Andrew Sullivan announced yesterday that he had raised almost $80,000 in a week-long on-line fundraiser, with over 3,000 people contributing to his worthy enterprise. This is important for two reasons. First, it shows that quality on-line journalism can be profitable (and the more primitive forms, from CNN to The New York Times, will have to pay more attention to bloggers). Second, it shows that attempts like ours can, eventually, become profitable (or at least pay for the necessities!). No Left Turns has only been at this since October 15th and we plan to be pontificating for a very long time. We will bring you some of the best, most interesting, and most high minded political and social commentary from some of the most thoughtful people in the country. But, there are costs involved. For now, we are fudging all that according to the Schrammian principle that the good will eventually be rewarded! We assume that if we talk folks will listen and, eventually, will contribute what they can towards our efforts. If you are willing to throw a few bucks our way even now, you may go here to do so. Thank you.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [3] | 12/20/2002 12:55 AM
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The Long National Nightmare Is Over
AP reports that senior GOP sources close to Lott confirm that he will step down as Majority Leader, but will remain in the Senate.
Posted by Robert Alt | Link to this Entry | Comments [5] | 12/20/2002 11:15 AM
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The Frist Momentum
The New York Times has this report on the move that Frist seems to be making. And here is the AP story. Note that Senators Warner and Alexander and Allen also seem to be aboard.
It is clear that this gambit will work, and Lott will be pushed out. Robert Alt’s warning about Frist’s imperfections should be noted, there will be many things to be worked out. My view is, first things first, so to speak.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/20/2002 9:28 AM
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Real Corruption, not Mere Shadow
Today’s paper, filled as usual with holiday spirit, contains several examples of real corruption -- not the post-modern Common Cause kind that speaks of inchoate "access" or improper feelings of "gratitude" for political support.
No this is the good stuff, teacher’s union officials using Union dues funds for fur coats and Tiffany silver. LINK.
Or another installment in the continuing story of former Ill. Gov George Ryan’s administration, the exchange of bribes for licenses, then the use of that money for campaign contributions. LINK.
There’s also a story about a local investor who bilked numerous prominent Washingtonians out of their investment funds, including apparently columnist George Will. Unfortunately, I can’t find the link on the WaPo web page.
Now I’m no Blackstone, but my guess is that the conduct in these matter was prohibited at common law. Moreover, despite the fact that individuals still persist in this conduct, I do not see an uproar over the failure of our laws to "prevent" these bad acts, or the need for the federal government to take over areas traditionally governed by the states.
(Oops! Did I say something about States Rights? According to E.J. Dionne, I did. LINK).
Back to the point, it seems like we could recognize that some people are crooks, will commit crimes, and need to be apprehended and punished. That can be done without outlawing entire areas of legitimate activity - you can punish the extortionist, fund diverter, and defrauder without criminalizing investment advice, private unions, or political fundraising. That’my big thought for the season - happy holidays.
Posted by Allison Hayward | Link to this Entry | Comments [1] | 12/20/2002 9:34 AM
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Palestinians Continue to Support Suicide Bombings
This is a pretty depressing piece of information : 63% of Palestinians support suicide bombings; Arafat is still the most trusted man (25%) while Hamas leader Yassin comes in second (11%). Yet, 83% of Palestinians think that there is corruption in the Paletinian Authority.
Posted by Peter Schramm | Link to this Entry | Comments | 12/20/2002 9:23 AM
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