Required Reading

Bill Bennett has weighed in on an oft-debated topic: what books should every high school student be required to read? (hat tip: The Corner) Personally, I didn't tackle some of the titles on the list until college but certainly didn't read all of them.

Such lists are interesting because chances are you'll get a wide range of opinions of what should and should not be on such a list.

Interestingly enough, no book that has been published in the past 30 years was on the list.

I've actually read about a third of the books on the list and would probably only take issue with "Catcher in the Rye" and "The Great Gatsby". I didn't care for either one but might feel differently if I read them again.

"1984" seems to be worth re-reading as we seem to be morphing into the type of world Orwell envisioned.

I haven't read all of Shakespeare but both my daughters are devoted to his works (they each have their own copy of his complete works). For what's it worth, I have read "Macbeth" and "Hamlet" as well as "Romeo and Juliet".

I've read both Dickens novels and would agree they are his best and most important. But the others shouldn't be ignored, either.

I didn't try to tackle "Pride and Prejudice" until college. I didn't understand it then but probably would do better with it now. But I haven't read any other Austen though I've seen at least one film adaptation of each novel. Perhaps one day I'll get back to reading them.

I'm sure there are plenty others that are must reads although I can't think of any right now.

As for most of the rest on the list, I haven't read them but might one day.

What books would you suggest?

Cycling To Support Wounded Warriors

One of the few "must-see" television programs for me is Chuck which is currently airing on NBC on Monday nights. Adam Baldwin is one of the real bright spots of the show. Turns out he's also one the few really good guys in Hollywood based on this account of his recent participation in the Ride 2 Recovery ride across Texas (also posted here). Hats off to Mr. Baldwin for his support for our wounded warriors.

Hat tip: Stephen Hayes

How Long Before This Promise Is Broken?

Lost in the midst of the weekend news coverage of President Barack Obama hamming it up with his new best friend Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is this little promise tucked into this weekend's Presidential Radio/Internet Address:

"In the coming weeks, I will be announcing the elimination of dozens of government programs shown to be wasteful or ineffective," he said. "In this effort, there will be no sacred cows and no pet projects. All across America, families are making hard choices, and it's time their government did the same."

For those of you keeping score at home, this is the same President Obama who pushed through a $787 billion pork-filled spending bill and a proposed $3.6 trillion budget. He also promised during the campaign to go through the budget line-by-line and eliminate waste. Yet such scrutiny seems to have been absent during these initial spending initiatives.

Anyone really think he's going to follow through on this one?

I wouldn't count on it.

Things To Know About Pirates

Pirates have been making the news of late and as a public service, IMAO features some fun facts to know about them. Check it out.

Opening Day

Baseball is back and not a moment too soon. Fans everywhere are cheering the return of the boys of summer. But of all the baseball stories that have come out today, this one has to be my favorite.

Hat tip: Hot Air

Looking Ahead....

It's way too early to discussing the 2012 Presidential election, but given the ever-increasing buyer's remorse setting in among Americans these days, it's not unreasonable to think about who could potentially be a leading candidate next time around. Kevin McCullough has been spending a few days with Governor Mike Huckabee and likes what he sees. I'm not willing to sign onto Kevin's prediction yet but I'm certainly hoping that he is right.