From Lord of the World, the apocalyptic 1908 novel by Robert Hugh Benson:
She had thought a great deal of Felsenburgh, however, and was astonished at her own feelings. He was certainly the most impressive man she had ever seen; it did seem very probable indeed that He was what He claimed to be–the Incarnation of the ideal Man, the first perfect product of humanity….But ah! what a sublime man Felsenburgh was; it was a joy to her even to recall his speeches and his personality.
From “How Can We Not Love Obama,” an article by Stephen Marche in the current issue of Esquire:
We love Obama — even those who claim to despise him — because deep in our hearts and all over our lives, we're the same way — both inside and outside our jobs, our races, our cities, our countries, ourselves. With great artists, often the most irritating feature of their work is the source of their talent. Obama's gift is the same as his curse: He's somehow managed to be like the rest of us, only infinitely more so.
One of the Esquire sidebar stories, by the way, is simply too rich to overlook: "How to Wear Socks Like Obama Did on Sunday," by Kurt Soller.
The leader of our country wore slacks and matching socks while meeting the Dalai Lama. Good call.
No one under the age of about 40 could possibly believe this, I suppose, but Esquire used to be a great magazine.
Hat tip to Stephen Schmalhofer on a trading floor somewhere high above Manhattan.
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Mar '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
I actually find that article rather disturbing. It puts me in mind of the endless laudatory plaudits that would pour forth from periodicals in the Soviet Bloc on the brilliance of their leadership. It is disturbingly servile.
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Exactly. It's not informative, it's not elegant, and it's not nearly witty or ironic or self-conscious enough to prove funny. The thing represents an extended exercise in servility.
Mar '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
really Peter, Esquire?
talk about a publication that has worn out its reason for existence. I occasionally see a fresh copy and I think, who reads this stuff? people like the Patrick Bateman character from American Psycho?
I'd let this one slide; I don't think Esquire speaks for many people, even non-serious people. Sort of like Mike Lupica opining on the political.
Jun '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Peter Robinson
Exactly. It's not informative, it's not elegant, and it's not nearly witty or ironic or self-conscious enough to prove funny. The thing represents an extended exercise in servility. · Jul 18 at 12:57pm
Or perhaps self-flattery. Nothing the left enjoys more than preening in public. Moral exhibitionism on parade.
Jun '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Hmmm - think I'll try.
"While there are many on the Right whose avowed hatred for Obama makes them look like frothing, moronic villagers chasing witches at midnight with pitchforks, while there are many conservatives who openly ridicule his lack of experience and incompetence, we all must understand one secret: Obama is actually, in a very touching way, loved by those on the Right more deeply in their twisted hearts than anyone can ever know."
After penning this, I'm going to dash off a resume and a writing sample to the Human Resources Department at Esquire.
Could be the start of a whole new career.
Jun '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
I vote for Exactly, too. I'm on my second consecutive Stalin biography and it's really fresh in my mind. (and no, I'm not comparing Obama to Stalin, just the servility, so nobody freak out please)
And Peter, your spelling is at it again, i.e. simply to(o) rich to overlook. We're watching you...
Jun '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Peter said: "The thing represents an extended exercise in servility."
Peter, be kind. It may be the only exercise the author gets.
Jul '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
I think I just vomited in my mouth. The article reminds me of the most awful woman I ever met and her doting boyfriend who turned to me once and said,"Man, don't you just love her". I said some generic statement to him since he was beyond the point of rational discussion, as is anyone who views the president in the aforementioned terms of this poorly constructed article.
May '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
This question of "why do these so called journalists trip over each other to coddle, defend and promote an empty suit like Obama?" boggles my mind. It's especially disheartening that so many of the fourth estate have abdicated thinking and common sense for group think and adherence to liberal worship no matter how glaring the shortcomings or lack of accomplishments ala Obama or personal morals like a Clinton.
It also reflects an insidiously devious plan ;which serves multiple purposes -to infiltrate academia and media so these cretins appear more numerous than they are and also get to promulgate their twisted ideology. As far as this article goes more drivel, sadly from a once good read.
Edited on Jul 18, 2011 at 1:24pmMay '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Peter,
That is one awesome article! Thanks for turning me on to it. Obama is, like, so head an shoulders above anyone else on the planet. With his mad skills, he totally can drive a truck filled with glass on a road made of ice. I mean, even with his economic advisors bein' such bail whales and quitting on us, he keeps pulling a FedEx and delivering. Gilgamesh? Totally Epic. Hegel? Uh, **** yeah. And socks 'n' slacks for the Dalai Lama? Classic. I'm like, relect Barack Obama in 2012? Add To Cart.
Can I buy some weed from you?
Bag
Jul '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Was one of them Koba the Dread by Martin Amis? If not, I recommend it.
Nov '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
~Paules
Peter Robinson
Exactly. It's not informative, it's not elegant, and it's not nearly witty or ironic or self-conscious enough to prove funny. The thing represents an extended exercise in servility. · Jul 18 at 12:57pm
Or perhaps self-flattery. Nothing the left enjoys more than preening in public. Moral exhibitionism on parade.
This article should be retitled: "How Can We Not Love Ourselves?"
A veritable anthem for narcissism....
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Dave Molinari I'm on my second consecutive Stalin biography and it's really fresh in my mind. (and no, I'm not comparing Obama to Stalin, just the servility, so nobody freak out please)
· Jul 18 at 1:09pm
Which Stalin bios are you reading?
Dec '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Another reason to post my all time favorite political cartoon. Eric Allie, 11/13/08.
My immediate thought.
Peter Robinson
Exactly. It's not informative, it's not elegant, and it's not nearly witty or ironic or self-conscious enough to prove funny. The thing represents an extended exercise in servility. · Jul 18 at 12:57pm
Side note: I hear Peter's voice in my head every time I read what he writes. He communicates the inflection of his voice in his written words. I can even imagine some of the facial expressions. Perhaps I watch too much UK.
May '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
All sarcasm aside, it was difficult to read this without tittering to myself. Such awful prose! It's filled with phrases like "wider narrative matrix," "unimpeachable heave," and "level-headed, warm-hearted, cold-blooded killer," a reference to President Obama that is actually intended as a compliment, I think. My favorite sentence: "He's somehow managed to be like the rest of us, only infinitely more so."
Yes, because I am like myself. But only in a limited way, not in the infinite way that President Obama is like me. Maybe he could give me lessons in how to be infinitely like me.
Did no one else find this funny in a kind of perverse, "it was a dark and stormy night" way?
Jun '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Media lapdogs will perform as they were trained to do or be sent to the doghouse.
Dec '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
I had almost posted about this exact edition of Esquire. Specifically about the Huntsman piece--which isn't quite as bad as the Obama piece, but still awful.
This is the first edition of the magazine I've read. I recently subscribed to Esquire and a few other magazines (The Atlantic and ESPN) on a reduced price promotion.
Long ago, I divorced politics from anything related to entertainment: music, movies, sports, fashion, etc. I find that it's much less stressful and that I'm still able to enjoy the mentioned entertainments.
Esquire has decent fashion, food and "other" sections--certainly worth my $2.99 a year--that I find interesting. I don't disagree with anything that Peter or the other members said about the piece, but my first reaction is "what do you expect?".
Jul '11
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
In the same issue, the Huntsman profile, David Granger's column and the essay on The Right "embracing fear and intolerance" are all worthless.
May '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
Just wow. That piece is phenomenally bad. Good catch, Peter.
Jul '10
Re: Another Sign that the Apocalypse is Upon Us (Or at Least that the Editors of Esquire Have All Gone Mad)
At least Byron's Don Juan intentionally evoked bathos. The Regime and its fellow travelers have made it the marquee element of their style.