Monthly Archives: January 2019

Reading “Jews, God and History”

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your … Continue reading →

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#LiveOffline

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

#LiveOffline and read novels from paper; Yellowed ancient preserve musty smell; Hand-drawn illustrations; Which tell story’s stations; Enclosed in a fine leather shell. #LiveOffline and find faith in communion; Streaming preachers a saint you’ll not be; So don you your … Continue reading →

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Venezuela’s Fight is Also Our Own

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

We get goose bumps when we see streets full of people and somebody standing on a podium or at the base of a noble old statue draped in a flag and exhorting their people to stay the course, to count … Continue reading →

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Pinker, Progressives, and Plastic in our Oceans

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Following on my theme of our arriving ordeal, juxtaposed as it is against the narrative of our ‘great escape’, I read this weekend a long interview by Stephen Pinker defending his book Enlightenment Now. The summary of his defense in … Continue reading →

Posted in International Affairs, Liberty, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Do You Consider the Lost Places?

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Do you consider the lost places? Of course why would you, you who read this. You are probably American, from Seattle or Miami or Biloxi. If its early morning, before your day starts you have a fresh cappuccino steaming in … Continue reading →

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“The Terror of Existence” – A Book Review

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Those of us who write know that we control the world. Alas those who wrote emptiness also knew this: Nietzsche and Freud; Marx and Gramsci. It is they who are the founts from which rushed forth such a crushing nihilism … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Robert D. Kaplan’s “In Europe’s Shadow”

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

Robert Kaplan is part of a lost generation of correspondents of old who would embark upon voyages dangerous and distant with only their notepad and pencil to accompany their curiosity and their exploding sense of wonder. Wonder at an enormous … Continue reading →

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My Most (and Least) Favorite Books of 2018

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

It is said if you want to be a writer, you have to read. The converse of that of course is that if somebody does not read they cannot write. And not merely articles in American Affairs Journal either, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Literature, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Quiet of Unknowing

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Joel D. Hirst

A quiet has descended upon us, a quiet which no longer boasts the great bonfires of old over which the legendary men gathered to tell tales, but which belies the burning manifest instead in trifling tongues which still flicker at … Continue reading →

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