Regarding Rushdie, the book club read The Satanic Verses last year, and as a companion piece several of us read Daniel Pipes's The Rushdie Affair, a book from the mid-90s examining the controversy. It was pretty even handed, because—even though Pipes is a conservative who hated radical Islam, he was also a conservative who hated Rushdie! At times it's a bit cutting—Rushdie after all was a man who spoke constantly about the ills of western governments, only to have his life depend on their protection—but it comes down on the side of the provocation to Islam being mostly unintended. In truth, the fatwa was part of a dick-measuring contest between the Iranians and the Saudis, who were competing over influence and leadership over the Islamic World. Both made some noises about banning the book, but when Iran issued the fatwa, Saudi Arabia backed down because they knew they had lost this battle.
Pipes's analysis of the book matches Rushdie's own claims from his much later autobiography (Joseph Anton), which is that the novel was a riff on medieval Islamic scholarship about the origins of the faith, particularly the works of dueling Islamic philosophers Avicenna (ibn Sinna) and Averroes (ibn Rushd). (The latter philosopher was the namesake of Rushdie's family, who chose it as a simple surname to replace an unwieldy one they had inherited.)
As a side note, in the early years of his hiding, Rushdie noticed that his ten-year-old son was getting depressed and anxious, so he wrote him a children's book called Haroun and the Sea of Stories, which was the first book he published after the fatwa. It is a great read, a Lewis Carroll-esque romp that *my* ten-year-old son really enjoyed. Apparently someone turned it into an opera, too, which I have not seen.
Matt, your list of Revolutionary War material has gotten me interested as well, as I realize I know less about it than I thought. The 200th anniversary period of the Lewis & Clark expedition 20 years ago got me reading about them and visiting some of the same places they traveled.
Coco's telepathic art is wonderful, the force is strong in this one. Also the receipts here prove that MW along with Reason has had the number of a whole rogue's gallery of these "lauded" (jaundiced eye towards that designation) motherf#*kers for years
My most cancelable opinion is that Bob Dylan is a great writer but not a very good singer. I nearly got physically ejected from a Bay Area dinner party after saying this
Matt, if you liked Turn, have you watched HBO’s John Adams? Definitely recommend reading McCullough’s biography and then watching the series. (It’s also pretty kid friendly).
I haven't even got to the most recent Dylan content on the Fifth yet, but just saw the We Are The World doco, and the part where he is brought out of the cold by the just mentioned Stevie Wonder was great.
Also looking forward to the Political Beats' Stevie episodes - can definitely recommend Eli's earlier appearances discussing Prince and Steely Dan....
As someone who vibes with TFC view on our current culture and large I think I can get away with this slight criticism. Let's police ourselves from being the type of people who heap praise on any artist who is willing to ever say an F you to the cultural left. I am really in the art should be judged for arts sake school. I am still going to listen to Roger Waters music infinitely more than Bob Dylan's because that is what I vibe with and because I don't care what Roger's take on anything else is especially Israel. And the last thing I think any of us want to be is someone who tells LeBron to shut and dribble, but practically has an orgasm over Kid Rock shooting beer cans.
Oh, you either like him or don’t, no reason to overthink it. John Podhoretz had a funny piece about how he still hates Dylan, but likes the movie, because fuck-commies, and sure, whatever floats anyone’s boat. Certainly neither Dylan not the Beatles (nor The Beach Boys, Stones, Nirvana, Oasis, whoever) need a single new fan or defender.
I've noticed, especially with Kmele, that often when discussing some recent media, that an evaluation and/or criticism of its political leanings is his first go to. Now of course this is because we are living in a time when shoehorning overt political positions in has become the norm, but I think this largely has a corrosive effect on art. Something usually becomes a no for me when I can explicitly see the pen of the artists wanting to say something specific about the times we live in and I think that should be applied fairly to all sides even ones I agree with. It's why I tend not to like Ricky Gervais even though I agree with him. He is trying too hard to say something.
I guess what I am saying is liberal Hollywood is going to liberal Hollywood but overly focusing on it is kind of tilting at windmills.
The 85-year-old, whose clothes have been a favorite of Jill Biden’s throughout her time as first lady, is the first fashion designer to receive the Medal of Freedom.“
I hope reporter Zach Montague finds out all the batteries in his remote controls are dead five minutes after returning from running errands. (“I was just at Costco!”)
It’s nice that Jill Biden has (some) decent taste. But perhaps the gray lady might have mentioned Lauren — as *the* American designer — has had a career spanning six decades and has been so influential that his reach is often taken for granted? That no other designer has shaped what Americans wear to the extent Lauren has? That his style was particularly American, blending Ivy, prep, Western, workwear and street styles as the decades unfolded?
And that he did all the above as the son of immigrants, and launched his own company that would make him a billionaire that started with just a line of neckties?
I for one have enjoyed the Bob Dylan commentary. The way he said fu to the lefty’s and their reaction is relevant to today. Some things never change.
Dewey got really deep in the fight for little people soon after that clip was filmed
https://youtu.be/5ADpsIb7vfs?si=pev-w8NTvGumsOMt
Regarding Rushdie, the book club read The Satanic Verses last year, and as a companion piece several of us read Daniel Pipes's The Rushdie Affair, a book from the mid-90s examining the controversy. It was pretty even handed, because—even though Pipes is a conservative who hated radical Islam, he was also a conservative who hated Rushdie! At times it's a bit cutting—Rushdie after all was a man who spoke constantly about the ills of western governments, only to have his life depend on their protection—but it comes down on the side of the provocation to Islam being mostly unintended. In truth, the fatwa was part of a dick-measuring contest between the Iranians and the Saudis, who were competing over influence and leadership over the Islamic World. Both made some noises about banning the book, but when Iran issued the fatwa, Saudi Arabia backed down because they knew they had lost this battle.
Pipes's analysis of the book matches Rushdie's own claims from his much later autobiography (Joseph Anton), which is that the novel was a riff on medieval Islamic scholarship about the origins of the faith, particularly the works of dueling Islamic philosophers Avicenna (ibn Sinna) and Averroes (ibn Rushd). (The latter philosopher was the namesake of Rushdie's family, who chose it as a simple surname to replace an unwieldy one they had inherited.)
As a side note, in the early years of his hiding, Rushdie noticed that his ten-year-old son was getting depressed and anxious, so he wrote him a children's book called Haroun and the Sea of Stories, which was the first book he published after the fatwa. It is a great read, a Lewis Carroll-esque romp that *my* ten-year-old son really enjoyed. Apparently someone turned it into an opera, too, which I have not seen.
This is just an unnatural amount of bob Dylan content. I fear we are being trolled
Say three Lily Rosemarys and hopefully this weekend post will exorcise it!
Matt, your list of Revolutionary War material has gotten me interested as well, as I realize I know less about it than I thought. The 200th anniversary period of the Lewis & Clark expedition 20 years ago got me reading about them and visiting some of the same places they traveled.
Cargo Shorts Dads unite!
Undaunted Courage was a great read. Still have not made it to the Missouri River portage trip yet, but me and my cargo shorts are excited for the day.
Agree - that book is the place to start for any interest in Lewis & Clark.
Coco's telepathic art is wonderful, the force is strong in this one. Also the receipts here prove that MW along with Reason has had the number of a whole rogue's gallery of these "lauded" (jaundiced eye towards that designation) motherf#*kers for years
My most cancelable opinion is that Bob Dylan is a great writer but not a very good singer. I nearly got physically ejected from a Bay Area dinner party after saying this
Pretty common opinion!
Cancelable opinions tend to be commonly held
My husband and I were just saying our favorite Dylan songs are the ones other artists recorded.
Wrong kid died!
Matt, if you liked Turn, have you watched HBO’s John Adams? Definitely recommend reading McCullough’s biography and then watching the series. (It’s also pretty kid friendly).
I did, actually, and enjoyed it!
I haven't even got to the most recent Dylan content on the Fifth yet, but just saw the We Are The World doco, and the part where he is brought out of the cold by the just mentioned Stevie Wonder was great.
Also looking forward to the Political Beats' Stevie episodes - can definitely recommend Eli's earlier appearances discussing Prince and Steely Dan....
As someone who vibes with TFC view on our current culture and large I think I can get away with this slight criticism. Let's police ourselves from being the type of people who heap praise on any artist who is willing to ever say an F you to the cultural left. I am really in the art should be judged for arts sake school. I am still going to listen to Roger Waters music infinitely more than Bob Dylan's because that is what I vibe with and because I don't care what Roger's take on anything else is especially Israel. And the last thing I think any of us want to be is someone who tells LeBron to shut and dribble, but practically has an orgasm over Kid Rock shooting beer cans.
Oh, you either like him or don’t, no reason to overthink it. John Podhoretz had a funny piece about how he still hates Dylan, but likes the movie, because fuck-commies, and sure, whatever floats anyone’s boat. Certainly neither Dylan not the Beatles (nor The Beach Boys, Stones, Nirvana, Oasis, whoever) need a single new fan or defender.
I've noticed, especially with Kmele, that often when discussing some recent media, that an evaluation and/or criticism of its political leanings is his first go to. Now of course this is because we are living in a time when shoehorning overt political positions in has become the norm, but I think this largely has a corrosive effect on art. Something usually becomes a no for me when I can explicitly see the pen of the artists wanting to say something specific about the times we live in and I think that should be applied fairly to all sides even ones I agree with. It's why I tend not to like Ricky Gervais even though I agree with him. He is trying too hard to say something.
I guess what I am saying is liberal Hollywood is going to liberal Hollywood but overly focusing on it is kind of tilting at windmills.
When Maher said "Biden is fresh?!" it made my day.
oh my god when will the Bob Dylan talk end!! Now even Bari's getting in on it! 🤣
(i don't really mind i just find it funny lol)
This reminded me of those ads when we were kids, draw this (turtle, pirate, woman) for art prize.
From the NYT article linked:
“Ralph Lauren
The 85-year-old, whose clothes have been a favorite of Jill Biden’s throughout her time as first lady, is the first fashion designer to receive the Medal of Freedom.“
I hope reporter Zach Montague finds out all the batteries in his remote controls are dead five minutes after returning from running errands. (“I was just at Costco!”)
It’s nice that Jill Biden has (some) decent taste. But perhaps the gray lady might have mentioned Lauren — as *the* American designer — has had a career spanning six decades and has been so influential that his reach is often taken for granted? That no other designer has shaped what Americans wear to the extent Lauren has? That his style was particularly American, blending Ivy, prep, Western, workwear and street styles as the decades unfolded?
And that he did all the above as the son of immigrants, and launched his own company that would make him a billionaire that started with just a line of neckties?
Walk Hard is a classic but I suspect it couldn’t get made today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wCH4dSD7RQ&pp=ygUTRGV3ZXkgY29jIG5lZ3JvIG1hbg%3D%3D
My GOD do I need to watch this movie!