Before we all get too dewy-eyed about the meltdown at the New Republic... Yes, the way Hughes and Vidra did what they did was atrocious, as is every one of the assaults were experiencing on serious journalism and the replacement of writing with content. But whats with all the pious nonsense about this distinguished liberal institution and its history of rigorous thought and analysis? Under the endless autocracy of Marty Peretz, TNR embodied pretty much everything that was wrong with inside-the-Beltway culture, and particularly the awful convergence of liberals and neo-cons to promote a muscular foreign policy. Meaning arm the contras in Nicaragua, invade Iraq, never breathe a word of criticism of Israel. Oh, and lets not forget race. Heres Peretz on African-Americans: So many in the black population are afflicted by cultural deficiencies. Or Latinos, with their near-tropical work habits and stifling social mores. Or Muslims: Muslim life is cheap, most notably to Muslims. ... I wonder whether I need honor these people and pretend that they are worthy of the privileges of the First Amendment. It would be wonderful to have a few more distinguished liberal institutions, but for most of the past 40 years the New Republic sure wasnt one of them.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:30:33 +0000
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