Anyone who's read my rants (back when I was a regular writer) should know by now that I seriously love The New Republic. For those who have no idea what this is: it's a weekly magazine dedicated to politics, world events and the arts. It's very Washington D.C.-centric... hmm. Maybe I'd even call it "The New Yorker" of Washington D.C. Well, maybe that metaphor is a bit problematic.
There's also a great movie Shattered Glass about a scandal in the New Republic where one of the writers was fabricating many of his stories. The movie actually piqued my curiosity and got me to initially subscribe. Scandals aside, I can't rave enough about this magazine.
It's articles are cogent (well written and well thought-out) and although there's the general liberal slant of "What the Hell is Bush thinking?!" there are plenty of eye-opening articles that make me question some of my own assumptions. (About No Child Left Behind and the Clear Skies Initiatives, for example.)
Just this morning I read a really articulate article "Past Imperfect" by Michael Levi about the entire Nuclear Arms race and the philosophical questions we've been grappling for the last 60 years; "Police Powers" and "Critical Theory" by William J. Stuntz that provide fascinating views of the upcoming Supreme Court appointment. These articles are not just a rehash of what every other journalist is parroting. This magazine is the place for truly original and inspired ideas.
Furthermore, I've never before actually developed a following for specific writers before. Now when I look at a title, before clicking on it I look at which of my now-familiar authors contributed it. Anything by Michael Crowley or Andrew Sullivan is an instant must-read. (Michael has scathing inside into the vulnerable underbelly of D.C. politicians and politics; Andrew writes articles that give me insight into which Republican initiatives might actually have some thought behind them, as amazing as that might sound.) Michelle Cottle is good for a simple black-eye against Bush when I want to be reminded of just what an idiot he is.
Anyway, one can either subscribe to the print version OR one can also subscribe online for rather cheap. ($30 for a year of REALLY good writing.) You can read a small handful of free articles from their website, but mostly you just get the first few paragraphs and a request to subscribe.
Posted by Murray Todd Williams at July 20, 2005 09:23 AM