Monthly Archives: June 2017

Will No One Rid Me of This Russia Probe?

By Robin Bates | Published: June 9, 2017

When former FBI Director James Comey, in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, quoted Henry II–“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest”–he brought to mind both T.S. Eliot’s “Murder in the Cathedral” and Shakespeare’s “Richard II.” He took the right lessons from history by not murdering the Russia investigation.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Donald Trump, Henry II, James Comey, Murder in the Cathedral, Richard II, Russia investigation, St. Thomas A. Becket, T. S. Eliot, William Shakespeare | Comments closed

Bob Dylan, Gifted Storyteller

By Robin Bates | Published: June 8, 2017

Bob Dylan, in his Nobel Acceptance Speech, made it clear that literary influences are as big in his song writing as musical influences.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Blowin' in the Wind", "Masters of War", All Quiet on the Western Front, Bob Dylan, Erich Maria Remarque, Herman Melville, Homer, Moby Dick, Nobel prize, Odyssey | Comments closed

Life Is Delight When June Is Come

By Robin Bates | Published: June 7, 2017

Here’s a Robert Bridges poem poem to help you enjoy summer in all of its splendor. And bring along a book of verse while you’re at it.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Summer Is Icumen In", "When June Is Come", Edward Fitzgerald, Robert Bridges, Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, summer | Comments closed

Be Afraid of Trump’s Fear of Being Mocked

By Robin Bates | Published: June 6, 2017

Donald Trump is obsessed with the fear of being laughed at, as he revealed once again in vowing non-compliance with the Paris Climate Agreement. As Cormac McCarthy shows in “All the Pretty Horses,” such people are capable of unimaginable cruelty.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy, Donald Trump, mockery, Paris Climate Agreement | Comments closed

Shakespeare for a Midsummer Wedding

By Robin Bates | Published: June 5, 2017

A couple of years ago a former student opted for a “Midsummer Night’s Dream”-themed wedding. For many reasons, it was a perfect choice.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Marriage, Midsummer Night's Dream, ritual, sexuality, Weddings, William Shakespeare | Comments closed

Pulled into the Ring of the Dance

By Robin Bates | Published: June 4, 2017

In her Pentecostal poem “Caedmon,” Denise Levertov describes the moment when the early British poet was filled with the Holy Spirit and learned the art of song.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged "Caedmon", Denise Levertov, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Pentecost | Comments closed

Trump, GOP Sacrifice Our Climate Future

By Robin Bates | Published: June 1, 2017

Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out the the Paris Climate Accord, and the GOP’s willingness to go along, reveal an absolute contempt for the next generation. Such contempt is at the heart of Russell Hoban’s dystopian nightmare “Riddley Walker.”