Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Victoria Coates is a woman of parts. She is an art historian. And a national-security expert, currently an adviser to Senator Ted Cruz. Her new book is “David’s Sling: A History of Democracy in Ten Works of Art.”
So, she and Jay talk about David, and the Parthenon, and a certain Frenchman’s water lilies, and Picasso, and some other artistic matters. They then turn to an old boss of Victoria’s: Donald Rumsfeld. And to another, Rick Perry. They end with some remarks on two rogue nuclear powers: North Korea and Iran.
Well, Iran is not a nuclear power yet. But tomorrow?
In any case, a conversation with Victoria Coates is a refreshing and edifying experience.
Help Ricochet by Supporting Our Advertisers!
For a limited time The Great Courses has a Special offer for Q and A, hosted by Jay Nordlinger listeners: Order from 8 of their bestselling courses, including Understanding Investments and get up to 80% off the original price! But, this offer is only available for a limited time, so hurry! Go to TheGreatCourses.com/QA
Subscribe to Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger in Apple Podcasts (and leave a 5-star review, please!), or by RSS feed. For all our podcasts in one place, subscribe to the Ricochet Audio Network Superfeed in Apple Podcasts or by RSS feed.
I concur on Rumsfeld. With Dick Cheney, probably the greatest public servants I have seen in my lifetime
Having no knowledge of Rumsfeld’s history, I had no love for him at the end of his service in the Bush administration. When his autobiography came out I forced myself to read it. My view of Mr. Rumsfeld changed totally while reading the book. I saw him in a very different light than had been cast upon him through media. He is and was a true patriot, a man of real gravitas.
After seven years of the Obama administration and the reign of total mediocrities, I long for men like Rumsfeld to return to government. We need serious men and women in government, not the academic buffoons of the Obama years.
Thank you for interviewing Ms. Coats. What an interesting lady. Looking forward to the arrival of her book.
I hope she also, someday soon, writes a history of the United States, or a history of American culture, shown through 200 to 300 works of American art.
I very much enjoyed the interview. Ms. Coates seems to be a true Renaissance woman, and the book sounds fascinating. I can’t really fault Jay for not pressing Ms. Coates more on Rumsfeld’s participation in the rather disastrous post-invasion and pre-surge stewardship of the Iraq war. A question was asked, but I found that it didn’t really lead to much that was enlightening.
Rumsfeld was a great man and great SecDef. History will prove this out.