would you find this sort of off-beat-but-dead-on take on the decline of the West?–
The European Union may be hesitant over such issues as tyranny in Africa or China, and distracted about Iraq, Hamas, or Iran’s nuclear program, but it is decidedly firm on the question of the pipes in church organs: These must be banned forthwith. Governing largely by directive, the EU need not bother with the paraphernalia of accountability, and one of its innumerable directives sets limits to the amount of lead to be used in products. According to the experts, organ pipes need a lead component, perhaps as much as half, for the acoustics. The president of the Institute of British Organ Building points out that pipe makers live to a ripe old age, with no known damage to their health. The European official responsible for the ban is Margot Wallstrom, a Swedish lady who does much to raise the level of comedy throughout the continent. She now says, “You can fill all your churches with as many lead pipes as you want.” But those who implement directives disagree, and they must proceed. Health and safety trumps life-threatening Bach.
That’s from the current (April 24, 2006) issue of NR, and that issue is no different from any other—they’re all chock full of superior and distinctly conservative writing, each NR is replete with expert and authoritative analysis of major events and trends. If you’ve yet to read the magazine, let’s induce you to do such: we’ll send you four free issues (at no risk!) as part of our special introductory offer. Which, by the way, gives you free access to NR/Digital! You can sign up for NR today, right here.