The American Hegemon Lives!

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In short, the U.S. has taken its share of blows over the past few years, but the isolationist dog is not barking. The hegemon will change. The hegemon will do more negotiating. But the hegemon will live.

-- David Brooks for The New York Times

When we are feeling rather down and out about America's position in the world, sinking in the Middle East quagmire, Mr. Brooks interjects a hearty note of that old American spirit and optimism. This is also the first time that Monk hears that Robert Kagan has a new book out.

You may recall that Kagan's "Of Paradise and Power" has had a formative influence on Monk's philosophical and political outlook regarding America's role in world affairs. This new one, "Dangerous Nation," looks like it might build on that. Monk is not really feeling up to such tomes these days, but he is still debating whether his reading life is up to taking it in.

( Brooks column )

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The American Hegemon Lives!

♠
In short, the U.S. has taken its share of blows over the past few years, but the isolationist dog is not barking. The hegemon will change. The hegemon will do more negotiating. But the hegemon will live.

-- David Brooks for The New York Times

When we are feeling rather down and out about America's position in the world, sinking in the Middle East quagmire, Mr. Brooks interjects a hearty note of that old American spirit and optimism. This is also the first time that Monk hears that Robert Kagan has a new book out.

You may recall that Kagan's "Of Paradise and Power" has had a formative influence on Monk's philosophical and political outlook regarding America's role in world affairs. This new one, "Dangerous Nation," looks like it might build on that. Monk is not really feeling up to such tomes these days, but he is still debating whether his reading life is up to taking it in.

( Brooks column )

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Scientific Facts? - Bah Humbug!

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“In 1965, the concern that greenhouse gases would lead to global warming was a prediction. Today, it is an established scientific fact.”

-- Naomi Oreskes for The Washington Post

When you have an Administration that is doubtful about the evolution of species, the idea that global warming is a scientific fact is no slam dunk.

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Scientific Facts? - Bah Humbug!

♠
“In 1965, the concern that greenhouse gases would lead to global warming was a prediction. Today, it is an established scientific fact.”

-- Naomi Oreskes for The Washington Post

When you have an Administration that is doubtful about the evolution of species, the idea that global warming is a scientific fact is no slam dunk.

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Debates and Chores

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Monk did the unusual and bathed Bo after five this evening. His hair was feeling greasy, and he did not want to spend tomorrow morning away from his reading. Since he had finished the Aeneid early today, he got in a lot of time on Magic Mountain today and had his fill of reading today. Plus, that debate is now going sour as we are just getting on each other's nerves now, as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict tends to do, so that Monk had some pent-up energy to burn off.

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Debates and Chores

♠
Monk did the unusual and bathed Bo after five this evening. His hair was feeling greasy, and he did not want to spend tomorrow morning away from his reading. Since he had finished the Aeneid early today, he got in a lot of time on Magic Mountain today and had his fill of reading today. Plus, that debate is now going sour as we are just getting on each other's nerves now, as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict tends to do, so that Monk had some pent-up energy to burn off.

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Virgil's Aeneid

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“Give way, you Roman writers, give way, Greeks.
Something greater than the Iliad is being born.”

-- Propertius

Well, it may be a bit over-excited to say that the Aeneid is greater than the Iliad, but I am a firm believer that it rightfully belongs with the Iliad and the Odyssey. Which is saying an awful lot. And, in spite of doubts I expressed earlier about Robert Fagles' translation, this is the version for me.

With respect to the comparisons with Homer, a striking note is that the Aeneid is an incomplete work, as Virgil, himself, said that he wanted to spend another three years working out the kinks and polishing the work, whereas the Homeric pieces are finished works of perfection. Moreover, Homer is perhaps more of a convenient fiction, since the works are understood to be an accumulation of an inherited oral tradition. On the other hand, Homer was the guide for Virgil's work.

But this is only interesting commentary. As readers, it is enough to have three masterpieces that do not cease to amaze our imagination.

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Virgil's Aeneid

♠
“Give way, you Roman writers, give way, Greeks.
Something greater than the Iliad is being born.”

-- Propertius

Well, it may be a bit over-excited to say that the Aeneid is greater than the Iliad, but I am a firm believer that it rightfully belongs with the Iliad and the Odyssey. Which is saying an awful lot. And, in spite of doubts I expressed earlier about Robert Fagles' translation, this is the version for me.

With respect to the comparisons with Homer, a striking note is that the Aeneid is an incomplete work, as Virgil, himself, said that he wanted to spend another three years working out the kinks and polishing the work, whereas the Homeric pieces are finished works of perfection. Moreover, Homer is perhaps more of a convenient fiction, since the works are understood to be an accumulation of an inherited oral tradition. On the other hand, Homer was the guide for Virgil's work.

But this is only interesting commentary. As readers, it is enough to have three masterpieces that do not cease to amaze our imagination.

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