"Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a scalding critique of Arab leaders here on Thursday, saying they badly needed reforms to jump-start their economies and overcome dwindling natural resources, or risk having extremists take root in their societies. Speaking at a conference in this gleaming Persian Gulf state, Mrs. Clinton said, 'In too many places, in too many ways, the region’s foundations are sinking into the sand. The new and dynamic Middle East that I have seen needs firmer ground if it is to take root and grow everywhere.' Mrs. Clinton ticked off a familiar litany of criticism: corruption, repressive political systems, and a lack of rights for women and religious minorities. But her remarks were notable for their vehemence, especially before an audience of Arab diplomats, business people, and human right groups." (NyTimes)
"If you are a New York City history buff, then a visit to the venerable Players Club is mandatory. Founded in 1888 by the pre-eminent Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth (Yes. The brother of Lincoln’s assassin) and fifteen other notables, including Mark Twain, this was the first 'American gentleman’s clubs modeled after London’s famous Garrick Club ... dedicated to the promotion of social intercourse between members of the dramatic profession...' The founders occupied the historic, dark wood paneled, Greek Revival townhouse, located on Gramercy Park. Today the Club’s walls are anointed with sconces illuminating oil paintings of celebrated dramatic figures, and theatrical memorabilia. It is peopled with a lively group dedicated to the acting arts. This past Tuesday eve the renowned actor, director, screenwriter, producer Kevin Spacey, was awarded with the prestigious Edwin Booth Lifetime Achievement Award." (NYSocialDiary)
"There will be chicken and egg debates for a long time to come about whether that was because he was influenced the culture of hatred, threats and gun-wielding bravado that has for a long time infected U.S. politics or whether he was a just a catalyst seized upon by political opportunists grasping for any stray event that supported a point they long wanted to make. Both are no doubt true to some extent. It is impossible to ignore however, that the attack happened in a part of the country where the discourse had gotten particularly ugly, in a congressional district on which someone had drawn gun sights and to a Congresswoman who had made a point of decrying the tenor of the partisan screaming match that had seemingly drowned out any possibility of reasoning together on the American public stage. These factors may have been unrelated but events and context fuse together as they happen and the bond cannot be undone. As a result, like it or not, it is already impossible to imagine that failed Nevada Senate candidate Sharon Angle would this week discuss 'second amendment solutions' with the glibness she once did even if she condemns, as she does, those who try to make the connection between the attacks and the gunsmith-crafted rhetoric of populist politicians of both parties. For the same reason, it is also unlikely Joe Manchin will again be wielding a rifle in another campaign advertisement any time soon. Beyond this seeming and much-to-be-hoped-for shift toward more civility ... one that both President Obama and Speaker Boehner have appropriately embraced ... events such as this also have individual impacts on different individual politicians based on how they handle themselves. For this reason, even though six out of ten Americans see no connection between the shootings and hate politics, it seems likely that in the past several days the U.S. politician who has seen their future prospects as a candidate diminish most is Sarah Palin." (David Rothkopf)
"Despite warnings of a Gotham City blizzard, the Waldorf Astoria was buzzing last night for the 45th Annual YMA FSF Geoffrey Beene National Scholarship Awards Dinner hosted by Mary Alice Stephenson. The glitzy soiree honored over 100 scholarship-toting students along with Manny Chirico, Jeff Kantor, and Visionaire founders Cecilia Dean, Stephan Gan, and James Kariliardos. Dani Stahl, Annabel Tollman, Zanna Roberts, Glenda Bailey, Ruben and Isabel Toledo were all in attendance while a frazzled Diane von Furstenberg slipped in during dinner." (Fashionweekdaily)
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