Open Letter to the Nation magazine

[James Farmelant]

A little while back when I was at the Boston Public Library I
happened to peruse through old copies of The New Repulic
from the early 1970s (pre-Marty Peretz days).  What struck me
was not just that the magazine was far to the left of its present
incarnation (which is a given) but it was also well to the left of the
current
incarnation of The Nation.  It featured articles by anti-war activists,
by civil rights activists including black nationalists etc.  Its
editorial
stance and general tone would be totally unrecognizable by anybody
who had read only Marty Peretz's version of the magazine.

It is interesting to note that both The New Rpublic and The Nation
have historically tended towards a left-liberal political stance 
and were often sympathetic towards the CPUSA.  At one point
The New Republic had Progressive presidential candidate, Henry
Wallace as its editor.  Also, back in the late 1940s the two magazines
contemplated merging since their editorial stances were so similar
that they were both occupying almost the same niche in the market.

Now as Lou points out apparently The Nation is drifting in the same
direction thereby furthering the narrowing of American political
discourse.  Whereas, in the case of The New Republic its drift to
the right can be blamed on one person, Marty Peretz in the case of
The Nation blame for its current drift seems to be a bit harder to pin
down but the result is still unfortunate.

		Jim Farmelant

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