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From Dominic Green, a tremendously learned, and interesting, literary essay. thelampmagazine.com/issues/issue...

submitted 7 hours ago • 0 comments

Of the 50 states, Alabama is one of the most dependent on federal revenue. Alabamians receive far more from Washington than they send. Is this Alabama senator even aware of that? www.al.com/politics/202...

submitted 16 hours ago • 3 comments

A music podcast for you, which includes tributes to the recently departed. One of them is Alfred Brendel, the pianist. Another is Brian Wilson, the Beach Boy. A world of people contribute to our world of music. Thank goodness. soundcloud.com/thenewcriter...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

“Many of our political debates have, at their heart, the question, ‘Who are we?’ Also: ‘What makes us exceptional?’” I begin with this, then move on to Tom Massie, JD Vance, Bill Moyers, and so on. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/a-nations-...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

This is not the America I know and love. www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/ice-...

submitted 1 day ago • 99 comments

Of all the work that Bill Moyers ever did, I think I most appreciate his documentary on "Amazing Grace." vimeo.com/467526919

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It was such a pleasure to meet this man, some years ago. He wrote a lot more than the "Mission Impossible" theme. But a handful of notes from that theme are known all over the world. Imagine having written something like that. apnews.com/article/lalo...

submitted 1 day ago • 1 comment

Today, my column goes from lighter to weightier, which is not the usual direction. I start with cursing -- profanity -- especially in high places. And I end on Iran, which is its own kind of curse. In between, I cite a 1640s sermon (interesting, I think). www.jaynordlinger.com/p/blue-strea...

submitted 2 days ago • 2 comments

"On Tuesday, President Trump dropped a bomb -- not a bunker-buster but the F-bomb." For The Spectator World, I've done a little piece on presidential cursing. For your entertainment (possibly). thespectator.com/topic/a-hist...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Matt Labash says he will not "tap dance" and "dazzle" us with "wordplay." Instead, he will write "a short, blunt, angry cry." It is a cri de cœur, and I salute my old friend for it. mattlabash.substack.com/p/disgusting

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

The options in the New York mayoral race are ... not optimal. I begin my column today with this subject, moving on to Germany and Japan, U.S. law enforcement, January 6th, the late Fred Smith, and so on. Something to please (and displease) everyone. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-ballot...

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

For the first time in years, I have thought of the Carter Doctrine. If you care to brush up, here is the Wikipedia entry: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_...

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

"How on earth are voters in America's largest city choosing between a 33-year-old socialist and a sex pest for mayor?" begins Jonathan Martin. If I may speak personally: It's been a long time since I saw a ballot with palatable choices. www.politico.com/news/magazin...

submitted 5 days ago • 39 comments

From me, a column on sundry matters, grave and lighter. See what catches your interest. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/our-house-...

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

For years, U.S. presidents said, "All options are on the table." This got to be a phrase of derision within Iran: "All options are on the table!" But it turns out, all options were on the table. Once the Israelis took the initiative, the U.S. joined in. The time seemed ripe.

submitted 6 days ago • 1 comment

For those interested, the points I would most like to make about Iran, I made at the top of a column last Sunday. There had to be a reckoning. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/a-reckonin...

submitted 6 days ago • 3 comments

In my view, the White House is an unmistakable, unique symbol of America. Giant American flags on its grounds are superfluous (and, I’m inclined to think, gauche).

submitted 7 days ago • 10 comments

From me, notes on sundry concerns, from the very grave to the far lighter. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/momentous-...

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

"Nationalism" is one of those slippery political terms, and one of those fighting words. Should nationalists, wherever they live, be solidly behind Ukraine? I think so. Anyway, a collection of thoughts about nations and nationalism (and nationalization). www.jaynordlinger.com/p/on-nationa...

submitted 9 days ago • 2 comments

The great Alfred Brendel has passed away at 94. There was no piece of music in the world he loved more than Mozart's Concerto No. 9 in E flat, K. 271. Here he is, in his piece. God bless Herr Brendel. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP8i...

submitted 10 days ago • 9 comments

Leonard Lauder, son of Estée, was mighty rich. But he was always a child of the Depression, he said. I begin my column with this topic, moving on to the Koreas, Hong Kong, Trump's cabinet, baseball, and so on. A diverse menu. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-mark-o...

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Daniel Asia, the American composer, is about to have an opera premiered ("The Tin Angel"). He and I have done a Q&A -- about this opera and a life in music. Pretty cool, in my book. newcriterion.com/dispatch/to-...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Some of the most remarkable people you'll ever meet are North Korean defectors, or escapees. One such is Kim Yumi, whom I talked with at the Oslo Freedom Forum (‪@oslofreedomforum.com). For @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social, an article. thedispatch.com/article/nort...

submitted 12 days ago • 5 comments

Iranian drones -- Shaheds -- are being fired at Israeli civilians and Ukrainian civilians alike. Something to keep in mind.

submitted 12 days ago • 2 comments

By @jodikantor.bsky.social, what amounts to a mini-biography of Justice Amy Coney Barrett. A fascinating woman, ACB, a woman of parts. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/15/u...

submitted 12 days ago • 13 comments

A Sunday-evening column, for your consideration. Iran, Israel, Trump, Musk, King Charles, Mrs. Chamorro, Fred Astaire, Brian Wilson, more. Issues of grave importance and issues of simple interest. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/a-reckonin...

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Today, I'm grateful for my dad. I'm also grateful for everyone out there who expresses paternal qualities, which are vital to the health and happiness of the world.

submitted 13 days ago • 2 comments

By Caroline Bergonia, of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. A reflection on her Cuban-refugee grandfather. 👏 www.bushcenter.org/publications...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

This woman played a crucial role in one of the great dramas of our time. Grateful for her. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/w...

submitted 13 days ago • 1 comment

Her name (maiden name) means "hope." God bless this braveheart. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

In advance of Father’s Day, a quirky little essay for your consideration. It includes a diverse roster of names: Adams, Bush, Buckley, Beethoven, Sondheim, Mussolini, Stalin … (I said “quirky,” right?) You may like. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-lotter...

submitted 15 days ago • 1 comment

For most of my life, I have heard about the octopus. (I have heard about this from at least one Arab head of state, by the way.) Hamas, Hezbollah, etc., are mere tentacles. The head is in Tehran. To deal with the octopus, you must deal with the head.

submitted 15 days ago • 2 comments

Some sports, some politics, some language, some music -- a column for you. See what appeals. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/pros-in-co...

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Why is it in the U.S. interest to back Ukraine? You can read long articles and books. But George Weigel does an excellent job in a brief article. www.ncregister.com/commentaries...

submitted 16 days ago • 1 comment

My opinion: The best Ukraine can hope for, where America is concerned, is neutrality in the war. Indifference. Far worse than that would be American hostility -- a tilting toward Putin. I think this is the pass we have reached. kyivindependent.com/us-to-cut-mi...

submitted 16 days ago • 2 comments

I've made a music podcast for you -- chockfull of goodness. Hope you enjoy. soundcloud.com/thenewcriter...

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

In which @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social contrasts the incumbent president with the first, after whom our capital is named. Powerful. www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-gro...

submitted 17 days ago • 2 comments

This is a time to ask, and answer, some fundamental questions: What does it mean to be an American? What's our country for? I have jotted some notes, drawing heavily on Gerald Ford, and his Bicentennial words. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/to-be-an-a...

submitted 17 days ago • 26 comments

Yesterday evening, I found myself outside the Temple Emanu-El in New York. I was rather moved by the inscription in its Garden of Freedom (especially in light of recent events). The garden was established in our bicentennial year. Can you read the inscription?

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment