Hasdai Westbrook,"Is This Any Way for Scholars to Behave?" Washington Post, 15 May, is the first major coverage of the British Association of University Teachers' boycott of the universities of Haifa and Bar Ilan and blacklist of their faculty. The American Political Science Association has joined the American Association of University Professors, Middle East Studies Association and the New York Academy of Sciences in condemning the AUT's action.

Janny Scott and David Leonhardt,"Class in America: Shadowy Lines That Still Divide," NY Times, 15 May. Historians of America often talk about race/class/gender, but it usually resolves itself into race and gender. Scott and Leonhardt look at class.

John Thiebault, in comments at Easily Distracted, thinks that I've failed to mention that the new and improved Tim Burke -- er -- the new and improved Easily Distracted is up and running. Well, I had mentioned it, but in too obscure a note. In case, you haven't yet heard, Tim Burke's new and improved Easily Distracted is up and running, with comments enabled.

Sharon Howard,"Academics and Their Big Words," Early Modern Notes, 14 May. Key sentences:"... it's not the language/vocabulary that's the problem, it's a matter of lack of writing skills. And it's quite true that poor writing + heavy theory (tends to) = extreme violence to language." Sharon also adds to the cornucopia of history-links at the Dictionary of Received Ideas.

It is that time of year. Students are getting their grades. The honorable F seems to be disappearing, but what if you get one? You can appeal to the professor, in which case you must be prepared to get a hard ass answer. Or, if you get three of them, you can issue a press release.

The Discovery Channel is doing a"Greatest Americans" show that invites viewers to call-in their votes. The list of 100 nominees is heavy on the side of contemporary show business; light on historical significance. The list is ludicrous. (Don't argue with me about this. Would Dr. Phil, Ellen DeGeneres, Rush Limbaugh, Richard Nixon, and Martha Stewart make your list of the 100 Greatest Americans?) You can join the laughter, the scorn, and the discussions at Professor Bainbridge, Big Tent, Horizon and Political Animal.

Oscar Chamberlain - 5/15/2005

I can at least imagine Nixon being on somebody's list, though not mine.

The confusion of fame and significance is not a new one. Wasn't it the assassin of Philip of Macedon who was motivated by the idea that if one kills the greatest man in the world, the assassin's fame would live as long as the fame of the man he killed? Long before Philip and Alexander, the Greeks with their Agora governments probably had many instances that reminded them of how fleeting both fame and esteem were, regardless of the merits of the man.