Michael Feinberg

Idiocy, idiocy, everywhere, And common sense did shrink; Idiocy, idiocy, everywhere, Nor any thought to think

There is a deep cut, “Planet of the Apes” extended universe reference that wouldn’t be out of place in response to this, but it’s late and I don’t want to spend any more time thinking about Vance, even if to only insult him.

In Roger Moore's last James Bond film, the villain's plot involved destroying Silicon Valley; were it made today, he'd -- at worst -- be an anti-hero.

I'm in the odd position of having read most of C.S. Lewis's works of theology, but none of his literature for children. Is it worth diving into the Chronicles of Narnia as an adult?

There's a story to be told about the post-Cold War decline in public funding of technological research and how it necessitated, if inadvertently, putting such immense power in the hands of people like Musk, whose behavior is governed by forces quite different from national interests.

See you all in a few months.

The detective unironically fighting for justice is an important, and even edgy, message to a society fixated on its own navel.

Would be funny if Lowden got it because then Slow Horses would be Smiley and Bond finally working together

I guarantee that Hegseth could not tell you why the Battle of Agincourt was important, or quite a single line from Shakespeare’s memorializing of it.

A reminded that Coppola’s wife made a documentary on just how much of a mess the production — and final product — ended up being. It’s a phenomenal film, and I rewatch it with some regularity, but that doesn’t preclude it from also being a sheer mess.

I think @nickharkaway.com is right on the larger point, but as an introverted bookworm who wants to be left alone and undisturbed when in public, I can very much get behind this as a policy priority.

The chicken foie gras-stuffed morels were a highlight, but the dessert of île flottante was also utterly delightful. Buerre blanc quenelles were, as always, also to die for.

Never forget that, at the end of the day, the people who would undermine our democracy and thwart our rights are nothing more than utter cowards.

It’s just tips on hosting a low key and tasteful wedding.

This is the correct legal conclusion, and just as undoubtedly disastrous for federal law enforcement's democratic accountability. The notion of masked, non-uniformed federal agents not being required to identify themselves is anathema to the best of our nation's founding principles.

I showed my wife a picture of the pre-order site for the Brough Superior SS100, and her response was less than enthusiastic. I didn't help my cause by exclaiming, "But, sweetie, it's the motorcycle on which Lawrence of Arabia had his fatal accident!"

The administration can easily muster resources to make Election Day a horrible mess, if it decides to go down that route. It’s much more difficult for it to do that for the entire early voting period. If your state offers it, vote as soon as you can.

The new Jess Williamson album is a real thing of beauty.

Okay, time to go eat my weight in foie gras, sweetbreads, and Dover sole with @klonick.bsky.social and friends.

In case you needed a reminder that OLC should not be taken seriously as a legal authority, but rather treated as a law firm that almost always gets to “yes” for their client. In this case, they’re just a room full of Tom Hagens with better credentials.

The version crafted by Gore Vidal, and, um, interpreted by Bob Guccione, had a better understanding of his country’s interests — to say nothing of a more stable personality — than Trump does.

This is a good outcome, but the fact that we even had to debate the issue is a sign of deep moral rot in our culture.

I’m struggling to think of a way in which I don’t have to take that statement with offense. Jewish people can’t be well-read or intimately familiar with other theological traditions?

I’m sorry, but adults who play video games should have no say in governance. Put aside childish things.

I've been a fan of all the intelligence and espionage narratives written by Ben Macintyre; it was a real joy to finally meet him and talk about his work.

I don’t think the analogy really holds, but I can’t look at this picture of Kushner and Witkoff and not conceive of them as a less erudite Stadler and Waldorf.

There’s a reason that people who actually have used them don’t refer to them as “silencers.”

I love my hometown.

This post kind of blew up yesterday. I think Americans really want to know about little things they can do it help people while our government is doing violence to our values, interests, and allies. So I will try to help provide guidance that might be useful for people who want such direction.

This is easily one of my favorite box sets, ever. The recording of “In the Wee Small Hours” might be the best since Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson’s version.

This essay easily influenced my political views and philosophy more than anything else I’ve ever read. It was once a bedrock of conservativism, and I bet the average Republican now couldn’t even tell you who Oakeshott was or why he mattered.

My birthday is coming up, and I've been meaning to reread "Moby Dick," so I would very much appreciate a copy of the 1979 Arion Press edition. I'd obviously prefer near fine or better, but beggars and choosers and all that.

Authoritarianism is less likely to take hold when the population visibly refuses it. Use your voice next weekend.

“I write in longhand. I am accustomed to that proximity, that feel of writing.” —James Salter buff.ly/vGRwszI

This was one of Patel’s dumbest ideas. The goal of a UFC fight is to force your opponent into submission, usually through ground-fighting. If an FBI agent is engaged in hand-to-hand combat, the primary goal is to momentarily incapacitate your adversary, gain distance, and draw one’s weapon.

In light of today's latest idiotic announcement from Kash Patel that UFC will officially begin training new agent trainees, I'm reposting a few of responses to his similar, previous efforts.

Less than two weeks until this arrives.

@amber-tee.bsky.social’s point below is 100% correct; “Suspiria” isn’t even Argento’s best movie (that honor clearly belongs to “Deep Red”).