So, Think He Made Up His Mind Yet?

[Guest MikeSC]

This is a quote taken from Harper's by Lewis Lapham. True, the issue is DATED for September --- but it seems a little odd that he could write this:

The speeches in Madison Square Garden affirmed the great truths now routinely preached from the pulpits of Fox News and the Wall Street Journal--government the problem, not the solution; the social contract a dead letter; the free market the answer to every maiden's prayer--and while listening to the hollow rattle of the rhetorical brass and tin, I remembered the question that [Richard] Hofstadter didn't stay to answer. How did a set of ideas both archaic and bizarre make its way into the center ring of the American political circus?

 

Keep in mind, he's implying that he's actually HEARD these speeches --- even though this column almost definitely had to be written in July or so.

-=Mike

[Edwin MacPhisto]

Can you give us some more context? I.e., a link, if possible. Lapham sometimes writes semi-prognosticatory pieces, and I'm guessing this is probably one of those. He's a bit shrill, but not silly enough to publish it as if it were a news report if the September issue is already available.

[Guest MikeSC]

Can you give us some more context? I.e., a link, if possible. Lapham sometimes writes semi-prognosticatory pieces, and I'm guessing this is probably one of those. He's a bit shrill, but not silly enough to publish it as if it were a news report if the September issue is already available.

It's in the September issue of Harper's. It's not on-line that I'm aware of.

-=Mike

[kkktookmybabyaway]

Like he'll actually be listening when the speeches do happen...