Jeremy wrote:
] This is Salman Rushdie's op-ed piece for the Christmas Day
] edition of the Washington Post.
]
] He compares and contrasts The Two Towers and Gangs
] of New York in the context of contemporary history and
] current events.

This was a good read. Especially since I just watched the Two Towers yesterday. Interestingly enough I also received this:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1583220496/ref=ed_oe_p/104-1822131-4216737?v=glance&s=ebooks&n=507846&st=*

As one of my gifts. I found it especially thought provoking considering the current environment. Also, although Zinn's bias is clear (being a pacifist), it's perhaps important to hear that side of the story especially from such an accomplished dissident, historian and WWII veteran (who actively dropped bombs over Europe).