I subscribed. Thank you for this column. Honestly, I didn't know what happened. I thought perhaps you resigned because of differences about the President, but on the other hand the TNC editor seems to be very pro-Trump, so I couldn't figure it out. It never occurred to me that they parted ways with you. And they got rid of the Great Books podcast. Two major mistakes on NR's part. The upside: I think we get more columns and interviews from you than before. Every time a new post from you appears, I save it to savor with my morning coffee. I'm a big fan, Jay! (I love Stanford's church music, but don't know his songs; I'll investigate.)
Happy Anniversary Jay! I remember Clinton’s “husky” comment, that was my size at Sears at 10 years old—hadn’t hit my vertical growth spurt yet. Keep on keepin’ on with the Reagan-esque happy warrior, we need more of that now than ever.
May there be many more happy years of Onward and Upward for us to enjoy. I had no idea you were "let go," as they say, I had figured you decided it was time to leave. But I will say that I read you a lot more now that you're not just one voice in the crowded room of NR, and that's saying something given you were one of the few writers I was still reading there.
I had a similar moment in 2020. Very unexpectedly laid off from a job I rather enjoyed and took some amount of pride in, followed shortly thereafter by my mother's death from cancer. It left me reeling. I won't say I was able to avoid looking back quite as easily as you, but I have moved onward. Upward? Well, maybe. Or at least northward.
Happy Anniversary, Jay. You, and Onward are a ray of clarity in the murk, stability in this Funhouse,and a reminder of a pathway through these "Strange Days". God bless you and keep you.
I subscribe to several newsletters. For the most part,clicking on any given writer,you'll know pretty much the topic in advance. Not always,but a decent percentage. There are two notable exceptions.
One is the great Kevin D. The other is you. Never knowing what's coming,the incredibly wide spectrum of topics you cover,makes reading you a pleasure,a different adventure every time. Bravo.
I'm reminded of the story you told -- I can't find where, at the moment -- of the lady who accused you (someone else?) of having "changed." And upon being told that you had, in fact, kept the exact same views as before, she admitted very honestly, "Yes, but the rest of us haven't, and that means you've changed."
I grew up on NR, and took what it (and so many others) taught me to heart. I don't know if they modified their views, or if I was just naive to believe they ever sincerely held them. Either way, it's gotten lonelier and lonelier. I'm thankful for you.
Happy Anniversary Jay…I guess🤪. Way to go your own way Onward and Upward, after the Trump Contagion took it next victim. You either jump on the Trump train, or get thrown off the rails if you do not seik heil (I used to think that shrill woman Ivanka was lying about The Dons bed side manner, I mean copy of Mein Kamph on the night stand…but what The Dons does with his days explains the resemblance with the little Austrian turd….you know what else the two megalomaniac anti truth Neo nationalist sociopaths have in common- They both had mothers….yikes)
Anywho, I defecate you negatory it is to the day, after pondering about decades of subscribing, that I resubscribed to N.R.O. because….of Jay Nordlinger. I still have an ounce of respect for Charlie…and Jeff…and Rob…but that is about all I can say without believing W.W.W.F.B.D. to that little autographed copy Preppy Handbook carrying Rich white Trash Lowry. Make like The Don’s tagline on the apprentice, or make like The General Knight to Neil Reed.
I cannot help but wonder who nailed it with one word…The joy to the political world you still bring me in the morning reading….But I know what former N.R. writers it is not writing such beautiful words of you Jay…they have all sold their immortal souls out to the Devil Incarnate and moved on to Amerikan Greatness. May the Lord have no mercy on any and all souls that have forgotten the atrocity of January 6th and cackle when our President calls a person of….I mean member of Congress “low I.Q.” because he or she does not seik…
You can look into your mother’s eyes and she can be proud…I know not how so many of your former colleagues at the formerly estimable National Review should if think they can do the same with their mothers. Love the Lot pull from the Bible. I wish this here diehard Fighting Irish Roman, Cathohlic could do the same…but I got a bad case of Irish Alzheimer’s- I forget everything…but a grudge. Gotta run on. And with your sentiments..I just wish I could be a man of peace of mind like you…who cleanse my mind every time I get to read you. Onward and Upward
Becoming a paid subscriber was the best decision I have made in terms of seeking out quality journalism.
Jay is like a Saturday morning conversation over the fence with a much smarter, kinder neighbour, or, as John Prine has written in song, “a chess game with someone admire.”
I might add, I am not sure I could have been so ignominiously dispatched and have retained such grace and charm in the aftermath. So, a tip of my blue cap in that regard, as well.
Jay, I appreciate the grace with which you handled that involuntary career transition.
I experienced a related but far less consequential transition myself two and a half months ago: I canceled my subscription to National Review. I was just a sophomore when the late Dr. Paul Adams, president of our small college, recommended it to me. I was a subscriber for more than 50 years. It was not a small part of my life.
As a friend of Mr. Buckley, you probably know something of the early history of the New York Conservative Party. Dr. Adams was twice the candidate of that party for New York State governor, back in the late 60s.
Congratulations Jay and thank you for years of putting into words what our now niche (that was once a movement) believe, think and feel. You, Jonah and Kevin are the steady voices of sanity in a country that has gone insane. Like you say, we stood still and everyone else ran away (and/or sold out).
I had a b-school professor who used the expression “you can’t run the sausage factory backwards and make pigs” which I frequently use myself and with my kids. Shame on NR for the treatment you allude to, but thank you again for moving Onward & Upward.
It seems as though M. Macron's voice isn't bad. But really, doing a musical performance at a "state dinner"? That's like unto being some bizarre level of narcissism that the world really doesn't need more of.
I will reiterate my contention that the 19th century is over, and the world's heads of state and heads of government should drop all this pageantry and self-indulgent Sun King poseur stuff. Just pick up the telephone or use Zoom.
A day to commemorate the grace that makes resilience possible. Also gratitude. I'm glad you're here!
Thx a ton, Freda.
I subscribed. Thank you for this column. Honestly, I didn't know what happened. I thought perhaps you resigned because of differences about the President, but on the other hand the TNC editor seems to be very pro-Trump, so I couldn't figure it out. It never occurred to me that they parted ways with you. And they got rid of the Great Books podcast. Two major mistakes on NR's part. The upside: I think we get more columns and interviews from you than before. Every time a new post from you appears, I save it to savor with my morning coffee. I'm a big fan, Jay! (I love Stanford's church music, but don't know his songs; I'll investigate.)
Many thanks, CU.
Happy Anniversary Jay! I remember Clinton’s “husky” comment, that was my size at Sears at 10 years old—hadn’t hit my vertical growth spurt yet. Keep on keepin’ on with the Reagan-esque happy warrior, we need more of that now than ever.
Thank you!
May there be many more happy years of Onward and Upward for us to enjoy. I had no idea you were "let go," as they say, I had figured you decided it was time to leave. But I will say that I read you a lot more now that you're not just one voice in the crowded room of NR, and that's saying something given you were one of the few writers I was still reading there.
I had a similar moment in 2020. Very unexpectedly laid off from a job I rather enjoyed and took some amount of pride in, followed shortly thereafter by my mother's death from cancer. It left me reeling. I won't say I was able to avoid looking back quite as easily as you, but I have moved onward. Upward? Well, maybe. Or at least northward.
Mary, I appreciate all that. Bless you.
Happy Anniversary, Jay. You, and Onward are a ray of clarity in the murk, stability in this Funhouse,and a reminder of a pathway through these "Strange Days". God bless you and keep you.
Many thanks, Tom.
I subscribe to several newsletters. For the most part,clicking on any given writer,you'll know pretty much the topic in advance. Not always,but a decent percentage. There are two notable exceptions.
One is the great Kevin D. The other is you. Never knowing what's coming,the incredibly wide spectrum of topics you cover,makes reading you a pleasure,a different adventure every time. Bravo.
Thank you, DS!
My best friend and I still laugh at one another for our grade school Husky Jeans.
We are 56 and 57 years old, respectively. (But not respectfully, husky-boy!)
!
Back in the day (the 60s) the clothes for "big" girls were the "chubby" size. Female version of the "husky" size.
In more recent years, more heavyset girls were offered "Plus" sizes.
"Why doesn't this fit?" I would sometimes ask, after buying, say, a 10-Plus for a girl who wore a 10.
I'm reminded of the story you told -- I can't find where, at the moment -- of the lady who accused you (someone else?) of having "changed." And upon being told that you had, in fact, kept the exact same views as before, she admitted very honestly, "Yes, but the rest of us haven't, and that means you've changed."
I grew up on NR, and took what it (and so many others) taught me to heart. I don't know if they modified their views, or if I was just naive to believe they ever sincerely held them. Either way, it's gotten lonelier and lonelier. I'm thankful for you.
Thank you, LK.
Happy Anniversary Jay…I guess🤪. Way to go your own way Onward and Upward, after the Trump Contagion took it next victim. You either jump on the Trump train, or get thrown off the rails if you do not seik heil (I used to think that shrill woman Ivanka was lying about The Dons bed side manner, I mean copy of Mein Kamph on the night stand…but what The Dons does with his days explains the resemblance with the little Austrian turd….you know what else the two megalomaniac anti truth Neo nationalist sociopaths have in common- They both had mothers….yikes)
Anywho, I defecate you negatory it is to the day, after pondering about decades of subscribing, that I resubscribed to N.R.O. because….of Jay Nordlinger. I still have an ounce of respect for Charlie…and Jeff…and Rob…but that is about all I can say without believing W.W.W.F.B.D. to that little autographed copy Preppy Handbook carrying Rich white Trash Lowry. Make like The Don’s tagline on the apprentice, or make like The General Knight to Neil Reed.
I cannot help but wonder who nailed it with one word…The joy to the political world you still bring me in the morning reading….But I know what former N.R. writers it is not writing such beautiful words of you Jay…they have all sold their immortal souls out to the Devil Incarnate and moved on to Amerikan Greatness. May the Lord have no mercy on any and all souls that have forgotten the atrocity of January 6th and cackle when our President calls a person of….I mean member of Congress “low I.Q.” because he or she does not seik…
You can look into your mother’s eyes and she can be proud…I know not how so many of your former colleagues at the formerly estimable National Review should if think they can do the same with their mothers. Love the Lot pull from the Bible. I wish this here diehard Fighting Irish Roman, Cathohlic could do the same…but I got a bad case of Irish Alzheimer’s- I forget everything…but a grudge. Gotta run on. And with your sentiments..I just wish I could be a man of peace of mind like you…who cleanse my mind every time I get to read you. Onward and Upward
Thank you, Benjy!
Only one word on the WKRP news: "Booger!"
Congratulations on the anniversary! And they said it wouldn't last!
!
Becoming a paid subscriber was the best decision I have made in terms of seeking out quality journalism.
Jay is like a Saturday morning conversation over the fence with a much smarter, kinder neighbour, or, as John Prine has written in song, “a chess game with someone admire.”
I might add, I am not sure I could have been so ignominiously dispatched and have retained such grace and charm in the aftermath. So, a tip of my blue cap in that regard, as well.
Appreciate that, DA.
Jay, I appreciate the grace with which you handled that involuntary career transition.
I experienced a related but far less consequential transition myself two and a half months ago: I canceled my subscription to National Review. I was just a sophomore when the late Dr. Paul Adams, president of our small college, recommended it to me. I was a subscriber for more than 50 years. It was not a small part of my life.
As a friend of Mr. Buckley, you probably know something of the early history of the New York Conservative Party. Dr. Adams was twice the candidate of that party for New York State governor, back in the late 60s.
Thank you, Paul!
Congratulations Jay and thank you for years of putting into words what our now niche (that was once a movement) believe, think and feel. You, Jonah and Kevin are the steady voices of sanity in a country that has gone insane. Like you say, we stood still and everyone else ran away (and/or sold out).
I had a b-school professor who used the expression “you can’t run the sausage factory backwards and make pigs” which I frequently use myself and with my kids. Shame on NR for the treatment you allude to, but thank you again for moving Onward & Upward.
Thank you so much.
That is a great line, and I am astonished I haven’t heard it before now.
Thank you for sharing.
It seems as though M. Macron's voice isn't bad. But really, doing a musical performance at a "state dinner"? That's like unto being some bizarre level of narcissism that the world really doesn't need more of.
I will reiterate my contention that the 19th century is over, and the world's heads of state and heads of government should drop all this pageantry and self-indulgent Sun King poseur stuff. Just pick up the telephone or use Zoom.