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David Carr and Jill Stewart

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from: Jill Stewart

Political Intermarriage and Other L.A. No-Nos

Posted Monday, June 14, 1999, at 5:21 PM ET

Wow, David.

Here in Los Angeles-Hollywood, the political climate is such that your personal situation would probably be called "intermarriage."

Let me explain. I recently invited Ron Unz to my home for dinner, along with several writers and others of varying political views. It was a fine evening (he is an accomplished conversationalist and an interesting pragmatic with a soft heart rather than a boring ideologue with a cruel heart). The evening turned uproarious when R.U., who was trained as a physicist/mathematician in college, patiently tried to explain to us creative types exactly what sort of financial "product" he invented for sale to Wall Street firms. Those sales made him into a millionaire. But R.U. soon noticed our eyes glazing over with confusion. My crowd was not exactly great shakes in math back in high school. R.U. finally patiently asked, "Well, OK, do any of you know what securities are?" Thank God three or four of us knew.

I relate this tale because not long after this, various pundits and politicos in Los Angeles began to slam me---not in print, but around town---for stooping so low as to have a "person like Ron Unz" for dinner. How perfectly silly. But this is a prevalent attitude in Los Angeles, the most politically naive major city in the world. And so I am very impressed that you have crossed over with such ease, and in a far more intimate way.

I wouldn't feel too bad about your knowledge of Kosovo. Every self-described Kosovo expert so far has screwed up, with the situation clearly not under control as rebel KLA troops take over a coal mine from the Serbs and unexpected Russian troops arrive to emancipate the towns as small groups of Serbs cheer. What's next, the takeover of Kosovo media outlets by Dr. Evil and the Spy Who Shagged Clinton?

What has really bothered me about the weak reporting on Kosovo (and I've not seen Finkel's stuff but will look at it given your recommendation) is that very, very few journalists ever mention that the Serbs are Christian and the ethnic Albanians are Muslim. That makes this a religious war just as much as an ethnic war or civil war. Think the Crusades, with just as much blood, raping, and pillage. But where's the coverage of the Christian drive to stamp out the Muslims? It seems highly unlikely that the mostly secular Western media are protecting militating Christians, since they give them a pretty nasty ride here in the States. Curious as to your thoughts.

Finally, I wonder, did you coin "First Wynette," and may I please steal that delightful nickname from you for my upcoming columns?

Your new friend,
Jill Stewart

the breakfast table
entries
123456789101112131415161718192021
from: Jill Stewart

Political Intermarriage and Other L.A. No-Nos

Posted Monday, June 14, 1999, at 5:21 PM ET
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David Carr is the editor of the Washington City Paper. Jill Stewart is a political columnist at New Times Los Angeles.
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