A question about political journals/magazines

Discussion in 'Politics & Current Events' started by oman, Jun 10, 2003.

  1. oman

    oman Member

    Jan 7, 2000
    South of Frisconsin
    When I was in college, instead of studying, I used to hang out in the popular reading room, reading magazines. I used to read a fair amount of political ones. I dug it, but I made ****************** grades.

    Fast forward many years. A marriage, children, work. I had no time for such things. The only magazine that I subscribed to, and had any time to read, was the new yorker.

    Back in the day, my favortie rag was The American Spectator. I also read the New Republic, National Review, and the somewhat insane Mother Jones.

    So, now that that I am a total lard ass again and my kids can handle the Atari on their own (or whatever those infernal machines are called) I want to get back into it. Unfortunately, i don't know what the best rags are now.

    What I am looking for is a good magazine/opinion journal from the right, one from the left, and one in the middle. My knowledge of these magazines is all dated.

    Right now, I get my news from the Dallas Morning News, NPR, McNeil Lehrer and a smattering of CNN and yahoo.

    I anticipate that the magazines I should read are The National Review/The New Republic (does it even exist) and /???

    I got a copy of the American Prospect, but I thought it was just an apology for the Democrats. Didn't like it too much.

    I've never really liked "the National Review" -- its the currier font of magazines.

    What can you all recommend? I don't mind anger and satire. Not really looking for screeching.

    I'm not into online stuff. I want a nice magazine I can nod off to and drool on.
     
  2. Colin Grabow

    Colin Grabow New Member

    Jul 22, 1999
    Washington, DC
    The Nation in my complete unbiased opinion is little more than hysterical drivel.

    The New Republic is OK. It's pretty thin, but Peter Beinert writes some good stuff.

    The New Yorker has a really interesting article about every other issue.

    The Weekly Standard is decent, but only really useful for keeping up with what is new with neoconservative thinking.

    National Review is probably the best conservative rag out there.

    All in all I'd suggest using your money on a subscription to Maxim.
     
  3. -cman-

    -cman- New Member

    Apr 2, 2001
    Clinton, Iowa
    Washington Monthly.

    A bit on the leftish side, but mostly just good, old-fashioned, well researched, muckraking journalism.

    The Economist is simply the best news magazine published in English in the world.

    Both cost an arm and a leg.
     
  4. spejic

    spejic Cautionary example

    Mar 1, 1999
    San Rafael, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    A few years ago, the Atlantic Monthly mostly did The Big Issues that went unreported by most magazines. Recently, it has become much more political. I liked it better before, but I still get it. Maybe it will change back now that Michael Kelly tested the upper limits of Humvee off-road capability.
     
  5. Manolo

    Manolo Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 14, 1997
    Queens, NY
    Some of the most intelligent political discussion I have seen. Published by the Council of Foreign Affairs, staffed by leading academics and scholars.

    http://www.foreignaffairs.org/
     
  6. edcrocker

    edcrocker Member+

    May 11, 1999
    The American Prospect is first-rate. In their essays and articles, the authors almost always give reasons. They are clear. They deal with important issues. They don't just make snide remarks.

    Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure it comes out only once per month. For some people, that is not frequently enough.
     
  7. dfb547490

    dfb547490 New Member

    Feb 9, 2000
    The Heights
    Subscribe to the National Review and the Washington Post, and get a TV installed in your bedroom with Fox News streaming 24/7.
     
  8. cossack

    cossack Member

    Loons
    United States
    Mar 5, 2001
    Minneapolis
    Club:
    Minnesota United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Better yet...

    subscribe to The Progressive and Z and turn off your tv
     
  9. BenReilly

    BenReilly New Member

    Apr 8, 2002
    Agreed, but the cost is a little misleading. You can read Time, Newsweek, and US News in less time than it takes to read the Economist.
     
  10. wu-tang beez

    wu-tang beez New Member

    Apr 19, 2002
    Irving, TX
    define haggard

    not really related to the topic, but Vicky Clark is now the 2nd press secretary to jump ship in as many months. since this is BS, the answer to the question of ,"would ya?" is known. But i wanna know how many brews would ya have to shotgun 1st to get the goggles working?

    [​IMG]

    WTB says 7
     
  11. oman

    oman Member

    Jan 7, 2000
    South of Frisconsin
    I thought it was fine but just a bit too snide. And Robert B. Reich nee Robert Reich has always given me the creeps.

    But not a bad antidote for some of the snideness of the National Review.

    Read an issue of reason, which I thought was fine. Some nice perspectives. Unfortunately, I feel that there are just some ************ups that you have to protect yourself against, so this libertarian rag may not be exaclty what I am looking for. Like most people, I agree with around 80% of what the libertarians say. The next 20% of unreality is what finally turns me away from the whole package.
     
  12. Dr Jay

    Dr Jay BigSoccer Supporter

    Aug 7, 1999
    Newton, MA USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If any of his kids are boys and they're older than 12, he just has to borrow their copy.
     
  13. edcrocker

    edcrocker Member+

    May 11, 1999
    Come to think of it, TAP does include some snide comments. But less than The New Republic.

    Why do political magazines do that stuff? I guess because it's easy and it keeps the interest of some people. I wish they wouldn't do as much of it, though. It clouds the discussion and tends to get some people angry that might otherwise be open to the ideas.
     

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