A Thinking Reed

  • Obama and interventionism

    I was skeptical of this article on Obama’s approach to foreign policy because I think Brendan O’Neill and the rest of the Spiked crew often bend over backwards to be contrarian. But he makes some legitimate points. Obama, while still preferable to the other candidates, isn’t a bona fide peacenik. I do think O’Neill stretches…

  • Art of the Possible

    This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s a new multiple-author blog exploring the potential for alliances between liberals and libertarians that features, among other folks, one-man mutualism publishing house (and occassional ATR commenter) Kevin Carson. The blog is here: The Art of the Possible

  • Fox on The Party Faithful

    Russell Arben Fox has a substantial post (he doesn’t really write any other kind) on Amy Sullivan’s new book, The Party Faithful, about the up-and-down relationship between the Democratic party and religious believers. I haven’t read the book, but it sounds interesting, and Russell’s reflections are worth checking out in their own right.

  • I’m not dead yet

    Sorry for the absence of posting over the last couple of weeks. Lest anyone thought I was stuck in the hooscow somewhere in the Netherlands, I did make it back safe and sound from Germany (which was awesome). Life has intervened in the meantime, though: I’ve started a new job, gone on retreat with people…

  • Vegetarian homesick blues

    I’d prepared myself for the fact that, while in Germany, I wouldn’t be able to adhere strictly to my vegetarianism. If Peter Singer can talk approvingly about a “Paris exception,” then surely I can invoke a “Berlin exception.” As it happens though, when I was in Wittenberg today (about which more anon, perhaps) I ordered…

  • Obama’s climate plan

    Gristmill’s Joseph Romm offers a defense.

  • Wm. F. Buckley, RIP

    I enjoyed his writing even though I dissented from his brand of conservatism, and he always struck me as an honorable and charitable fellow. For better or worse, he hugely influenced American politics. RIP.

  • Holy pizza!

    Today I went to a pizzeria near the Pergamon musem in Berlin called “Twelve Apostles.” Each pizza is named after one of the apostles: I recommend the Tomasso (Thomas). It has bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and hot peppers. Though my guidebook says that the Judas is possibly the most delectable.

  • Two on animals from the WaPo

    Factory farms may be exempted from emission rules A debate over culling elephants in South Africa

  • Just war reconsidered

    The Christian Century reviews three books on just war theory and pacifism. All three agree that even if we accept just war theory, there’s a need for positive practices to nurture peace.