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Jonah Jacob Goldberg is a conservative commentator, probably best known for his contributions on politics and culture to National Review Online, where he is the editor-at-large. He also frequently appears on television, on such shows as Good Morning America, Crossfire, Nightline, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Larry King Live, and Politically Incorrect.
Early life & career
Goldberg graduated in 1991 from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland. (He served on the colleges Board of Trustees from 1991 until 1994). He has written, produced, and edited two documentaries, Gargoyles: Guardians of the Gate [1] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg103000.shtml), and Notre Dame: Witness to History. He also spent a year working as an English teacher in Prague.
His columns
Some frequent topics of his articles include censorship [2] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200312111243.asp) [3] (http://www.townhall.com/columnists/jonahgoldberg/jg20031212.shtml), meritocracy [4] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg051302.asp) [5] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg121399.html), liberty [6] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg062800.html), federalism [7] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg050201.shtml) [8] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg042303.asp), and interpretation of the Constitution [9] (http://www.townhall.com/columnists/jonahgoldberg/jg20030709.shtml). His disagreements with libertarians [10] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg030201.shtml)[11] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg062201.shtml)
also appear often in his writings. Goldberg has a second, syndicated column, available from Townhall.com (http://www.townhall.com) (among other places), which tends to be more uniformly serious in tone than his National Review Online column, which he has written regularly since September 11 1998. He has also written for The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, Commentary, The Public Interest, The Wilson Quarterly, The Weekly Standard, the New York Post, The Womens Quarterly, and Slate.
His National Review Online column, the "Goldberg File" (often called the "G-File" by fans, who are called "G-Philes"), frequently involves humor, often at the expense of liberals. Alec Baldwin, a Hollywood actor who Goldberg insinuates cannot read, is a frequent target of such jibes. Goldberg has also been critical of the French and claims credit for popularizing the term "cheese-eating surrender monkeys" (first used on The Simpsons television program) to refer to them (see Anti-French sentiment in the United States). Goldberg also makes occasional allusions to Star Trek and references to his anthropomorphized couch and his dog, Cosmo ("the wonderdog") [12] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg061703.asp). Many of his comments are self-deprecating.
Family
Goldberg is Jewish on his father's side. He is married and has a young daughter; his wife, Jessica Gavora, who is Catholic, is a speech writer for United States Attorney General John Ashcroft.
Goldberg's mother Lucianne Goldberg played a role in the Lewinsky scandal:
- "My mother was the one who advised Linda Tripp to record her conversations with Lewinsky and to save the dress. I was privy to some of that stuff, and when the administration set about to destroy Lewinsky, Tripp, and my mom, I defended my mom and by extension Tripp." June 23, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200406231215.asp)
He is currently working on a book for publication.
Quotes
- Great civilizations create great cathedrals, and the cathedrals of this generation should be in outer space. Cathedrals inspire rich and poor people alike to believe great things are possible. The Mars Polar Lander cost the average American the price of half a cheeseburger. A human lander would cost the average American more perhaps even ten cheeseburgers! So be it. That is no great sacrifice. (May 3, 2000 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg050300.html))
- Why is it fair game to question conservatives' love or loyalty to children or to their fellow man, but beyond the pale to question liberals' love of country? (April 21, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200404210839.asp))
- If youre too stupid to understand that a philosophy that favors a federally structured republic, with numerous restraints on the scope and power of government to interfere with individual rights or the free market, is a lot different from an ethnic-nationalist, atheistic, and socialist program of genocide and international aggression, you should use this rule of thumb: If someone isnt advocating the murder of millions of people in gas chambers and a global Reich for the White Man you shouldnt assume hes a Nazi and you should know its pretty damn evil to call him one. (Jan 5, 2001 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldbergprint010501.html))
- Disenfranchisement is something the government does to you. It's not something you do to yourself. If you can't figure out how to fill in the ovals or punch the chadsand some minority of voters will always botch itthat doesn't mean your right to vote was rescinded. It means that you didn't take your right to vote seriously enough to pay attention to the instructions. (Oct. 22, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200410221457.asp))
Humorous Quotes
- My first piece of advice and I mean this from the bottom of my heart is that we should not get so carried away that we adopt a "Logan's Run" policy in which conservatives beyond a certain age are twirled around the ceiling of a big stadium and then blown-up to the cheers of younger conservatives. (July 19, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200407190837.asp))
- I bet you anything I could destroy Milton Friedman in a debate about economics so long as the audience was comprised of five year olds. He may have a Nobel Prize, but I can make offensive sounds with my armpit. Advantage: Goldberg! (July 19, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200407190837.asp))
- Imagine if a friend, or even a son or brother, told you, "Hey, guess what I did last night? I stole a car and then I stole a cop car, I shot at some cops (presumably family men), and resisted arrest every step of the way." My response would be: A) "I hope they beat your ass"; B) "Gee, did they beat your ass?"; C) "How come they didn't beat your ass?"; or D) "Come with me right now so I can take you down to the station so they can beat your ass." There is no E) none of the above. (July 17, 2000 (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg071700.html))
- Across the media universe the questions pour out: Why is Dan Rather doing this to himself? Why does he drag this out? Why won't he just come clean? Why would he let this happen in the first place? Why is CBS standing by him? Why . . . why . . . why? There is only one plausible answer: Ours is a just and decent God. (October 11, 2004 (http://www.nationalreview.com/issue/toc200409241302.asp))
Quotes that some find offensive
- "John Kerry is a sphincter. Okay, that's a bit juvenile." [13] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200410140936.asp)
- "I suppose in John Kerry's world good diplomacy lets the boys in the bar finish raping the girl for fear of causing a fuss. Okay, that was unfair." [14] (http://www.nationalreview.com/goldberg/goldberg200410080941.asp)
External links
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