Jay Nordlinger
@jaynordlinger.bsky.social
5.4K followers 220 following 1.6K posts
Senior resident fellow, the Renew Democracy Initiative. Music critic, The New Criterion. Substack: Onward and Upward.
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jaynordlinger.bsky.social
I was talking with a friend and made this confession: When I was younger, I thought everything was settled, pretty much. Feudalism bad. Nazism bad. Communism bad. Liberal democracy good. Etc. How weird it has been to discover, at this stage, that nothing is settled.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
He plays our president like a violin, Putin does. This is dangerous for our country, and for the Free World generally.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
The Nobel prizes began in 1901. The peace prize always went for international efforts -- until the 1960 prize, which went to a freedom struggle in one country: South Africa. The laureate was Albert John Luthuli, a great man. The 2025 prize is in that spirit.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
Sometimes a Nobel prize aids a freedom struggle, sometimes it does not. Let us hope that the prize to María Corina Machado, a brave woman, aids the freedom struggle in Venezuela.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
"If 'mainstream' politicians don't address public problems forthrightly, the public will turn to rough men and 'mainstream' them." This and other observations from me, in a smorgasbord of a column. Take your pick. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/imperative...
Imperatives of Government, &c.
On crime, free speech, chess, technology, and more
www.jaynordlinger.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
"The largest country on earth," Russia, "doesn't need more land. It should take better care of what is already within its internationally recognized borders." True words, from Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorski. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/o...
Opinion | I’m the Foreign Minister of Poland. This Is How to Negotiate With Putin.
www.nytimes.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
Surely, the committee made its choice weeks ago. Surely, that choice was not Donald Trump. But could the committee switch its choice overnight? Yes. Don't bet on it. But, yes.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
I have been fielding a number of inquiries about the Nobel Peace Prize. (A pleasure to do. I wrote a history of the prize.) Could Trump win it, for a Gaza deal? Well, the 2025 laureate will be announced tomorrow. I imagine discussions in Oslo are interesting just now.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
"Tend it. Tend the garden of liberty. This is an imperative, now and always."
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
Free speech can be vexing. You want it for yourself, your friends, and your allies. But, in an open society, the other guys get it too. I have written a little essay, with doses of autobiography, and a killer statement by Ortega y Gasset at the end. www.thenextmove.org/p/we-need-fr...
We Need Free-Speech Consistency
What you want for yourself, you have to grant to the other guy.
www.thenextmove.org
Reposted by Jay Nordlinger
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
I met Jonah Goldberg when he was a research assistant at AEI (1993-ish?). I enjoyed talking with him then and I enjoy talking with him now. It was a privilege and a kick to be on his "Remnant" podcast. We discuss issues grave and lighter. thedispatch.com/podcast/remn...
Eternal Vigilance | Interview: Jay Nordlinger
‘If they lay down their arms, we’ll have peace tomorrow. If we lay down our arms, there’ll be no Israel tomorrow.’
thedispatch.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
For the music-minded, a post about Opening Night at Carnegie Hall. Yuja Wang played the Tchaikovsky Concerto (you know which one). But conducted it, too? Yup. newcriterion.com/dispatch/wan...
“Wang with a bang,” by Jay Nordlinger
Jay Nordlinger on the opening-night gala at Carnegie Hall.
newcriterion.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
Free speech can be vexing. You want it for yourself, your friends, and your allies. But, in an open society, the other guys get it too. I have written a little essay, with doses of autobiography, and a killer statement by Ortega y Gasset at the end. www.thenextmove.org/p/we-need-fr...
We Need Free-Speech Consistency
What you want for yourself, you have to grant to the other guy.
www.thenextmove.org
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
I met Jonah Goldberg when he was a research assistant at AEI (1993-ish?). I enjoyed talking with him then and I enjoy talking with him now. It was a privilege and a kick to be on his "Remnant" podcast. We discuss issues grave and lighter. thedispatch.com/podcast/remn...
Eternal Vigilance | Interview: Jay Nordlinger
‘If they lay down their arms, we’ll have peace tomorrow. If we lay down our arms, there’ll be no Israel tomorrow.’
thedispatch.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
This news from California gives me a memory. Two years ago, the New York City public schools made Diwali a holiday. My friend Vivek Dave commented, "If they really wanted to honor Indian culture, they'd make the kids go to school a half-day on Saturday." apnews.com/article/diwa...
California makes Diwali an official statewide holiday
California is the third U.S. state to designate Diwali as an official statewide holiday. The law, newly signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, takes effect January 1.
apnews.com
Reposted by Jay Nordlinger
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
For the music-minded, a review of "La sonnambula," by Bellini, at the Metropolitan Opera last night. Nadine Sierra, in the title role, was ... memorable. newcriterion.com/dispatch/nad...
“Nadine knocks out,” by Jay Nordlinger
Jay Nordlinger on Bellini’s “La sonnambula”, at the Metropolitan Opera.
newcriterion.com
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
The Met after hours — well after hours — has an allure.
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
For the music-minded, a review of "La sonnambula," by Bellini, at the Metropolitan Opera last night. Nadine Sierra, in the title role, was ... memorable. newcriterion.com/dispatch/nad...
“Nadine knocks out,” by Jay Nordlinger
Jay Nordlinger on Bellini’s “La sonnambula”, at the Metropolitan Opera.
newcriterion.com
Reposted by Jay Nordlinger
jaynordlinger.bsky.social
Starbucks employees are suing their employer over a new dress code, and the costs it entails. I solicited the testimony of a friend of mine who spent a few years working at Starbucks. An interesting "take" on a common slice of American life. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/working-at...
Working at Starbucks
Beyond the green apron
www.jaynordlinger.com