Donald Trump is refusing to take responsibility for the failed Yemen raid where a Navy Seal was killed, along with 30 civilians. The raid brings to mind the “Charge of the Light Brigade,” although more appropriate might be the Rudyard Kipling sequel, where the poet blasted England for failing to take care of the survivors.
Monthly Archives: February 2017
The Soldier Knew Someone Had Blundered
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Charge of the Light Brigade", "Last of the Light Brigade", Alfred Lord Tennyson, Donald Trump, Navy Seals, Rudyard Kipling, Yemen raid Comments closed
“Enemy of the People,” Badge of Honor
Donald Trump has been attack the media as “the enemy of the people,” bringing to mind Heinrik Ibsen’s 1882 play. The play is about a truth-telling scientist but the parallels are still very apt: stand up for truth, regardless of the consequences.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged climate change, Donald Trump, Enemy of the People, Heinrik Ibsen, Media, press, scientists Comments closed
Bannon: Deconstructionist or Con Man?
When Steve Bannon said that he plans to “deconstruct” the administrative state, it sounds vaguely impressive but maybe just be a pretentious way of saying that he’s planning on gumming up the works. A discussion of deconstruction is in order.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged deconstruction, Donald Trump, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Jane Austen, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Pride and Prejudice, Satan, Steve Bannon Comments closed
All Our Seeing Rinsed and Cleansed
Edwin Muir’s “The Transfiguration” is filled with images of cleansing and renewal as the disciples imagine returning to the Garden of Eden as it was before the fall.
Not a Reader (and Proud of It)
What do a president’s reading habits say about his/her vision of America? Obama’s celebration of a diverse America is the vision of a voracious reader. Trump’s shallow narrative is the vision of one who doesn’t read.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Donald Trump, Humanities, Liberal arts education, Martha Nussbaum Comments closed
Shakespeare Would Support Transgenders
As Donald Trump rolls back transgender protections, it’s worth going back to Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” which honors the sense that many have (not just transgender individuals) that they have the other gender hidden away beneath their exteriors.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Donald Trump, LGBTQ rights, transgender rights, Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare Comments closed
The Ugliness of Racial Resentment
“The Merchant of Venice” is a story of resentment and thus is only too relevant in today’s political landscape of inflamed passion. Those who have been victimized–or who feel that they have been victimized–are only too ready to stick it to others when they are in power.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged anti-Semitism, Donald Trump, Merchant of Venice, resentment, William Shakespeare Comments closed
After Surgery, World Is No Longer a Monet
My brain is still trying to adjust to my new eye following cataract surgery, which has me thinking of various passages about seeing in “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” My having an operation, I also opted for a different path than Claude Monet, at least according to this wonderful Lisa Mueller poem.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Monet Refuses the Operation", cataract surgery, eyes, Lisa Mueller, Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Fundamentalists Send Readers to Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s “Handmaid’s Tale” is topping bestseller lists at the moment. The reason is probably because of the GOP’s prospect of success in curbing reproductive freedom.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged 1984, Abortion, Donald Trump, George Orwell, Margaret Handmaid's Tale Comments closed
