The Wednesday Curator – 12/24/14

December 23, 2014

The Irony and the Ecstasy by Michael Kinsley appears in the January 2015 issue of Vanity Fair. The essay addresses Ronald Reagan, as a real person and as a symbol. It’s short on words—less than 1500—and long on truth. Yes, this man made people feel better, and his sunny side was certainly beneficial in the early part of his term. But, Oh My G-d, there’s such a gap between the hagiography and reality. Read the piece, please! (By the way, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.) noted many times that we can all have our own opinions, but not our own facts.)

From Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire on December 19, here’s Lawmaker Would Require Men to Approve Abortions. Separate from the policy—dreadful—is advocate Missouri State Rep. Rick Brattin’s comment about needing to prove a rape was a “legitimate” rape. No rape is ever legitimate … and yes, I know what this dim bulb state representative meant.

David Carr writes for the New York Times, mostly about media matters. (He was a major figure in the great documentary, Page One:  Inside the New York Times.) In Sowing Mayhem, One Click at a Time, published in the Times on December 14, he figuratively dismembers Charles C. Johnson, an especially odious blogger. Great writing!

Dodgers’ Vin Scully loses one golden ring in holiday loop around Costco by Bill Plaschke for the Los Angeles Times on December 18 reports on everybody’s favorite baseball announcer’s lost ring saga. And for non-clickers, Vin Scully will be back for the 2015 season, No. 66.

From the food department, check out The Food Lab: My 11 Favorite Recipes of the Year, 2014 by Kenji Lopez-Alt. I’m a big fan, and he’s an excellent imaginer/technician, and the Managing Culinary Director at SeriousEats.com. And, for something out and completely different, check out The Still, an excellent speakeasy. Contact me for the skinny about getting in!

Finally, have a very Merry Christmas, and enjoy the two holiday weekends. Look for the Curator on December 31; otherwise, and unless the spirit moves me to change my mind, MRW will be on holiday until January 2.

 

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