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Good News on Egypt

From First Thoughts

It’s been a while since anyone’s been able to write that. But that’s the basic feel of this Jonathan Tobin post at Commentary , which Jim hipped me to, “Beating the Brotherhood Isn’t Impossible.” Here’s the most comforting sentence: The Arab spring may have . . . . Continue Reading »

“Yuko and Hiro” Do Not Despise Sex

From First Thoughts

With respect to Peter’s latest Big Think, a warning, and a push-back. There are a number of hard-to-figure things about the Japanese, and perhaps, building on top of distinctive cultural traits regarding sex and love that go way back, the 21st century Japanese really have become erotically . . . . Continue Reading »

Marilynne Robinson on Faith and Politics

From First Thoughts

Okay, I admit it. The American Conservative is awesome. I’ve had my issues with TAC over the years . . . . . . and likely would know of more if I still read it regularly (even if I do suspect the vitriol they fed on so eagerly during the aughties has gotten old for them by now), but when they . . . . Continue Reading »

A Tone of Restrained Panic

From First Thoughts

Yuval Levin has done some must-read reporting on the how the Obamacare exchanges are doing so far at National Review Online. Even given what you know already, it’s shocking: The tone of the CMS officials who spoke with me was a kind of restrained panic. What is the CMS? Boy, you’d better . . . . Continue Reading »