Category Archives: Commentary

Opinion or analysis concerning whatever’s on my mind.

Mrs. Muzzle

Posted on October 20, 2023 by JMN

By Monday morning, a furious Mrs. Muzzle pounced on Uncle’s lap, took her petite paw and gave his smirking lips several wicked whacks. But he … Mrs. Muzzle

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‘She Didn’t Do Innocence’

Posted on October 18, 2023 by JMN

“With students, sometimes she suggested that they try silence, not working at all. That, she believed, might be best for someone who was writing the wrong poems or producing too much.” (Colm Tóibín) She insisted on calling herself a writer. … Continue reading →

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‘Somewhat Impenetrable to Outsiders’

Posted on October 8, 2023 by JMN

“Cricket is first and foremost a dramatic spectacle. It belongs with theater, ballet, opera and the dance.” (Trinidadian Marxist thinker C.L.R. James) Cricket may be “somewhat impenetrable” to outsiders, per The Times, but only to those who resist penetration. The … Continue reading →

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It’s Only Money, Ladies. Play Cricket!

Posted on September 27, 2023 by JMN

At this summer’s edition of the Hundred, a short-form cricket tournament in England, umpires for the men’s games — all of them men except for Redfern — were paid three times as much as umpires at the women’s games, seven … Continue reading →

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‘I Worry That It Will Feel Pointless to Even Try to Create in Public’

Posted on September 24, 2023 by JMN

But even those of us who don’t have a job directly threatened by A.I. think of writing that novel or composing a song or recording a TikTok or making a joke on social media. If we don’t have any protections … Continue reading →

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A-Hurtling and A-Hurling We Will Go

Posted on September 22, 2023 by JMN

But Murdoch’s legacy is decided. We are hurling toward another government shutdown, egged on by Hannity. (Michelle Goldberg) The New York Times performs to a high editorial standard in the matter of typos and misprints. When they do crop up, … Continue reading →

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Pants, Shirt, Shoes, Socks, Skivvies & Hair on Fire

Posted on September 20, 2023 by JMN

“Facts by themselves don’t mean very much.” (Vladimir Medinsky) Vladimir Medinsky is Vladimir Putin’s ghost writer. He writes texts about Russian history under Putin’s name. From the start, Mr. Medinsky’s work was criticized by real Russian historians. But he never … Continue reading →

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‘So Pure and Unobstructed by Metaphor’

Posted on September 17, 2023 by JMN

It’s so pure and so unobstructed by metaphor in a way that I find disarming and really courageous. (Fred Gibson) Fred Gibson’s phrase “unobstructed by metaphor” riveted me on first hearing (NYT Audio, “The xx Singer’s Solo Album Is Its … Continue reading →

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‘Free Speech Is Hard Work’

Posted on September 7, 2023 by JMN

One stumbles upon insight gold. Here’s a line from the title poem of Egyptian poet Iman Mersal’s book The Threshold: One long-serving intellectual screamed at his friend / When I’m talking about democracy / you shut the hell up. It’s … Continue reading →

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Poderoso Caballero Es Don Besuquero — ¿O Ya No?

Posted on August 30, 2023 by JMN

*”A sturdy caballero is Master Hotlips — Or no longer?” (pace Quevedo). Mr. Rubiales was shown on video after the World Cup final in Sydney on Aug. 20 kissing one of the team’s star players, Jennifer Hermoso. Although he apologized … Continue reading →

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