Publish and Perish

The presidential campaign of 1976 between the incumbent Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter was coming down to the wire when the ex-president, Richard Nixon, pardoned two years earlier by Ford, announced that he would go again to China, and go at the time of the election. He was strongly criticized for shamelessly drawing attention back to himself and the Watergate crimes--and his pardon--at the very time the man who had unpopularly pardoned him desperately wanted the voters to forget all that and concentrate on voting Republican one more time. Nixon went, Ford lost. Most certainly this was not simple cause and effect, but it illustrated the presumed negative influence of a failed president on the next election.

This all comes to mind with the news that George W. Bush's presidential memoir will be released on Tuesday, November 9th, precisely one week after this year's mid-term elections. Book publishing being what it is today, it is reasonable to assume that there will be leaks of juicy parts and even sales of Dubya's scribbling before Election Day, with
Republicans everywhere being called upon for comment on the late Bush Administration's policies about this and that and everything. The exactly last thing they wish to discuss now, then, or ever. Roll the presses!

The New Look

The editor of this often laggard commentary has seen fit to choose a new format so that readers may not merely have a change of ambience but also get a glimpse of the sky as it usually appears here, minus the trace of clouds. After half a century in dear Minnesota this view brings great cheer to the heart of an aging Irishman. I hope the new look brings pleasure to all who read here.

If I was a seer with a crystal ball trying to see the state of the Obama presidency I would say that it is too murky to see anything definitive yet. He has not hit his stride; there is greatness in him but the man has not yet met his moment. It is surely coming to him as it has to all the men who have lived in that house.

Hitch Is Sick

Christopher Hitchens has announced that he has esophageal cancer and needs to begin chemotherapy. I am very sorry to hear this, Hitch is a brilliant writer and tireless battler against hypocrisy and sham in all their forms. I am currently reading his memoir, Hitch-22, a glorious, hilarious, beautifully written report on his life thus far.

You are not dismissed, Mr. Hitchens. Great work remains to be done, as you know better than most. Get well soon.