The Wednesday Curator – 5/27/15

May 26, 2015

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has had a reputation for seriousness and for expertise on military and foreign relations issues. He’s been a Senator for more than 12 years, and served in the House of Representatives for eight more. And he thinks he should be our next President of the United States. OK, then, why would he say

Everything I learned about Iranians I learned working in the pool room. I met a lot of liars, and I know Iranians are liars.

Peter Beinart offers an answer in The GOP’s Embrace of Anti-Islamic Bigotry, written for The Atlantic on May 26.

Also from the 2016 race desk, here’s Jamelle Bouie’s piece, Left Field, written for Slate on May 26. It’s about the expected impact of Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on former Secretary of State/Senator/First Lady Hillary Clinton.

From Neil Irwin for The Upshot at the New York Times on May 13, here’s The $179 Million Picasso that Explains Global Inequality. It’s an easy, interesting essay which explains with simple math just how far out of whack we’ve come. Gilded Age, you’re a piker compared to the 2000-teens!

The G.O.P.’s War on Science Gets Worse was written by Elizabeth Kolbert for the New Yorker on May 6. I know war reporting should be current, and three weeks can be a lifetime in tough times. On the other hand, when you’ll think, Worse? Really?

Apropos of inequality, take a look at The Fate of the Four Seasons Hangs in the Balance, written by Jeff Gordimer for the New York Times on May 22. I value tradition, and have always revered the Four Seasons as America’s best exemplar of fine dining; nevertheless, it’s a haven for the crowd who can and do buy Picassos, and who have skewed us badly in the wrong direction. Alas, it’s billionaire building owner who’s sending the restaurant packing, so I’m on the side of the Four Seasons.

At the other end of the dining spectrum, Cate and I ate very well at Taqueria Mexico in downtown Albuquerque eight days ago. Fine dining for two, casual style, for not much more than I’d pay at the Four Seasons for a martini.

Carnitas Taco

Carnitas Taco

Guacamole, Salsa, and Chips

Guacamole, Salsa, and Chips

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