Inauguration week
Donald J. Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on Friday . The peaceful transfer of power is moving to watch, and I intend to do so—on television, from home, avoiding the nightmare of trying to get around Washington that day. And, for what it’s worth, I’m turning down offers to comment on television or radio: I don’t want to pretend an enthusiasm for Trump I don’t feel, but I also don’t want to presume that his administration may not succeed in important ways. So I’ll keep quiet for a day. (Though, come to think of it, I’m certain Michael Graham won’t let me off the hook for my regular Friday podcast; so I guess I’ll have to think of something to say something after all).
There is, though, one aspect of the inauguration I’m willing to be judgmental about, ahead of time. I gather Paul Anka is going to sing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” at the swearing-in. I like the song, and in a way it’s appropriate for Trump, both because he’s a “my way” kind of guy, and because it’s become so associated with New York City. But now I understand Anka (or someone else) is rewriting the words for the occasion! That really is a sacrilege and an outrage. Changing those famous lyrics is no way to Make America Great Again. So I urge everyone to weigh in and demand that Anka sing the original lyrics. Or—even better!—why not simply play a recording of Sinatra singing his last signature song? I imagine a recorded Sinatra would be better than a live Anka. In any case, can’t we all, Democrat and Republican, Trump enthusiast and #NeverTrumper, agree on this? Re-writing “My Way?” No way.
(And by the way, worth reading on the topic of Sinatra: Irwin Stelzer’s 2013 Casual, our review of Tina Sinatra’s book about her life and her father’s, and Andy Ferguson’s 1995 item on Sinatra at 80.)
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It’s…Andy!
Andrew Ferguson, who wrote on Sinatra in 1995, has been with TWS from the start and is with us still: Read some of his recent gems here, here, and here.
And now you get to see Andy close up and personal (sort of). The Foundation for Constitutional Government has released a conversation with Andrew Ferguson that we conducted shortly after the election. No one conversation, needless to say, can do Andy’s wit and wisdom justice, but in this hour and a half Andy reflects in his usual penetrating and self-deprecating way on his career, including his start in journalism at the American Spectator and his time as a speechwriter for President George H.W. Bush. We also discuss higher education, the state of the conservative movement, and some of the changes in our politics and culture over the last couple of decades. I think you’ll enjoy it.
And when you’ve listened to your heart’s content, buy one of Andy’s terrific books onLincoln in the American imagination and on higher education today—or a collection of his superb essays. Or buy them all!
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Speaking of books….
My friend, Frank Lavin, Ambassador to Singapore under George W. Bush and occupant of other high government positions–and, more important, an occasional contributor to TWS (see, for example, here and here)–has an unusual and fascinating book coming out this week. It’s called ” Home Front to Battlefront.” It’s the World War II story of Frank’s dad, U.S. Army Private Carl Lavin.
The theme of the book follows from a comment of John Steinbeck, himself a WWII correspondent: “There are really two wars,” Steinbeck wrote, “and they haven’t much to do with each other. There is a war of maps and logistics, of campaigns, of ballistics, armies, divisions, and regiments—and that is General Marshall’s war. Then there is the war of the homesick, weary, funny, violent, common men who wash their socks in their helmets, complain about the food…and lug themselves and their spirit through as dirty a business as the world has ever seen and do it with humor and dignity and courage.”
“Home Front to Battlefront” concerns that second war. It’s a coming of age tale about a teenage boy who enlists in the U.S. Army, fights the Nazis and becomes a man during the travails and triumphs of World War II. So if you like American history, or military history, or just a good narrative yarn, do check out “Home Front to Battlefront.”
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Super Bowl competition update
Condolences to those who had the Cowboys going to the Super Bowl—it was one heck of a game, though. Among those still alive in the competition (about half the original entrants), a large majority have predicted a Patriots-Packers Super Bowl, with most of those choosing the Patriots to win. (Sorry, Steve Hayes and John McCormack!). Only two of you, on the other hand, picked a Steelers-Falcons Super Bowl, on the other hand—and no one had the Falcons beating the Steelers. So presumably that’s what will happen, in Donald Trump’s America….
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Onward!
Bill Kristol
