1. First, welcome back Pete. His two new posts combined are so important that I wonder whether we should develop a most timely pomocon manifesto on why we’re in big trouble. Pete explains exactly why, and I assume the rest of us agree. (With minor exceptions: Like whether or not Perry is Texas Toast.)
2. Paul Seaton is right to talk himself up (with Dan Mahoney) as THE MEN on Manent. He’s also right to remind us that the center of Manent studies in English is PERSPECTIVES ON POLITICAL POLITICAL SCIENCE. We will, in fact, publish Manent’s very original and astute Baylor lecture, Dan’s authoritative overview of his achievement so far, and maybe other stuff from the conference. As Paul points out, we’ve already published some penetrating stuff on Pierre. PPS is also, of course, the center of David Walsh studies, Walker Percy and Tom Wolfe and political science studies, Catherine Zuckert studies (forthcoming), Peter Lawler studies, as well as (a) center of Leo Strauss (AND Strassophobia) studies.
3. And here’s an opportunity to view the bigness, beauty, and intellectual freedom of Berry College.
4. We are also now, thanks to Carl, the center for Simon and Garfunkel studies. “I Am a Rock” I’ve always regarded as their worst hit, and Carl explains why. I really appreciate the way he highlights the one really good shot they take at taking refuge from relational life in poetry, and Carl turns it against taking refuge in “Great Books.”
5. I’ve seen S and G in concert more than once in the last ten years, which I admit is not evidence of my musical sophistication. They are great performers, though, and all their songs are tuneful.
