Dagger in hand |
|
|
A man of prodigious fortune, coming to add his opinion to some light discussion that was going on casually at his table, began precisely thus: "It can only be a liar or an ignoramus who will say otherwise than," and so on. Pursue that philosophical point, dagger in hand. --Michel de Montaigne, Of the art of discussion. Stab back: cmnewman99-at-yahoo.com Home
Archives
Oriana: la sibilla eremita The Sage of Baltimore: Browbeating the booboisie. Reason: As in voice of. Lileks: Il miglior fabbro Volokh: Dean of Kozinski clerks Olympia: I read her only for her literary qualities. Really. Say it isn't so!: Do you think it's the lumpy oatmeal? Our girl Jane: Keep em flying, Miss U.S.A. My man Baruch: Amor dei intellectualis. Hubba hubba. Scrofula: With a name like Scrofula, it has to be good. The Idler: No frills. IJ: Fighting the good fight. ACLU: Good when they remember what the L stands for. Yourish: Meryl smash. Heidi's letters: I think she does reprisals, too. Her pinkness: Each time she falls she shall rise again! And woe to the wicked! In Context: Lynn provides it. Andrea: One spleen to rule them all. Still Waiting: Don't believe the hype. The Droll Weevil: Posts, pedantry, and pie(?) Perugia: Second home. Craven Road n.7: His name is Dog. Dylan Dog. Tom Bell: Internet law, online where it should be. Just the place for a snark: I've told you but once, but it's true. Greed is Good: And doesn't look too shabby in a T-shirt, either. Translator's Buddy: Didn't have "gliridi" though. CGFA: Favorite source of desktop material. Fallacies: Check yourself. Cosmo for men.: Implementing our equal right to feelings of inadequacy. Caplan: Visit the Museum. There's just one hitch: But it's a good one. Samizdata: Libertarian lexicographers. Unqualified Offerings: But quality assured. She is Wendy: Hear her roar. The Divine Blogroll: Entrate, che troverete speranza. Like the corners of my mind: Read it and weep. Aziz: Providing perspective. IJTIHAD: The future of Islam. I hope. Himishi: Where I acquired that raw fish addiction. My generous sponsors Alan Moore: Quis custodiet? Spoonerism: A blushing crow to tyranny. The Onion: Scary thing is, they're not far off. ScrappleFace: More important news. Day by day: Trudeau Schmudeau. Fumento: Brockovich Crockovich My alma mater: Not basketball. Croquet. The Capitol Steps: providing their fodder is the government's only indispensible function Randy Andy: Get used to it. Vasco Rossi: When they're in Italy, the Stones open for him. The Shadow: Useful counterpoint. Italiani liberi: Dr. D. Vider's Italian minions. Friendly Neighborhood Sinners: Swim the warm waters. Yuppies of Zion: The blog with two backs. Hobbit's repast: I'm partial to onesies, myself. The Friesian School: going Diderot one better Head spinning?: They can help. Looking sinister: Brian is watching. Murray's ghost: Stalking the state. Hell, no.: So anti it's not always clear what they're pro. Bureaucrash: takin' it to the streets Joe Cartoon: Indulge your inner 12 year old boy. There's a light: Rand sans droid. The Fake Detective: Rescuing damsels in dis-dress. Stromata: Amazing how much good stuff some people leave just lying around. The VRWC: Conspiring at a law school near you. The VLWC: Practicing the sincerest form of flattery. Corriere della Sera: Haven't sued me yet. Who am I?: Che ti frega? 
|
Thursday, June 20, 2002
MUSCADINS, MULLAHS, AND MARIANNE Apparently a Paris court will be announcing next Friday at 1:30 p.m. whether Fallaci's book must be removed from distribution because of its alleged "islamophobia." In her recent defense of France's reputation, Fallaci said it would be "unjust, wicked" to doubt that France is still the République Française of Marianne and not the République Française of Islam. She said that the Muscadins counted a big nothing, and proclaimed that "in France liberty of thought and opinion still exists." She based this, however, on the fact that her book was on the bestseller lists and the publisher working overtime to print new copies. In a week that may no longer be the case. Not because the people will have tired of her work but because they will have been forbidden to purchase it any longer. La Rage et l’Orgueil may go the way of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Fallaci writes about that episode in her book, and says that what was most monstrous about the Taliban's act was not the destruction itself, but that it was carried out by sentence of law. Not in a fit of spontaneous rage, but calmly, deliberately, after an announcement to the world that the operation of considered principles demanded the obliteration of those artistic treasures. Well, we're about to find out what France's considered principles are. We're about to find out whether France today is made in the image of Voltaire or of Fréron. And if the court announces the latter, will there be demonstrations in the streets as there were to oppose Le Pen? Or will the Peuple docilely accept the verdict, silenced by the Muscadins who will tell them that Fallaci and Le Pen are the same thing? The same smear that allowed them to dismiss the murder of Fortuyn as ugly but somehow deserved. Will the Peuple do anything to give the world a sign that Fallaci's faith in them was not misplaced? Or will it be the sad case that when we ask whatever happened to Marianne they'll tell us with a straight face, "Oh don't worry, she's still here. Right under that burka."
Comments:
Post a Comment
|