December 16, 2005

Speaking of BDS

ON A CRISP AUTUMN AFTERNOON last month in New York City, I went deep into the East Village to DL Cerney , a men's shop that I favor. It's a small shop right next door to the ancient and honored McSorley's Old Ale House Bar . The line of clothes it offers can be found nowhere else in the world so I always make time to shop there when I'm in New York.

On the afternoon that I went, there was only a woman minding the store and I was the only customer. She was a handsome woman with a sharp mind and attractive personality. We got to talking about New York "Then" and New York "Now," and the clothes, and other things. At one point she asked me, "Who's your favorite contemporary author?"

I paused for a moment and then said, "Victor Davis Hanson."

Her eyes widened in shock. She turned quickly and scanned the shop and the East Village street visible through the window.

"Victor Davis Hanson? I adore him. He's so brilliant and so prolific. You.... you must be one of us. It's so lonely for us here in New York City these days. Especially if you are an artist living in the Village like I am. It's horrible watching one friend after another become infected with Bush Derangement Syndrome."

"Do you think BDS is always terminal?" I asked.

"Still too soon to tell, but the smart money is betting that way."

Posted by Vanderleun at December 16, 2005 11:14 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Pleasant to meet another sane mind in such an unlikely place, isn't it?

I wish I'd known you were in town, Gerard. I'd have moved heaven and earth for the chance to buy you a drink.

Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at December 17, 2005 3:14 AM

"They talk most who have the least to say."
Brilliant! He is someone to have lunch with.
Be careful of those that speak to much.

Posted by: jeffersonranch at December 17, 2005 7:22 AM

We New Yorkers are surrounded by BDS. It ain't pretty.

Posted by: williamP at December 17, 2005 11:47 AM

Thomas Sowell is my fave but, VDH is awesome, too. If I was juggling three authors, I wouldn't drop either one of these two.

Posted by: Will Pennington at December 20, 2005 2:24 PM

Gerard...let's not forget Mark Steyn.

Posted by: David Katz at December 22, 2005 3:19 AM