Two Fellas who can Write, and have taken agin each other. That'd be Mark Steyn and Johann Hari, doyen of the right and aspiring doyen of the left, respectively. Both of them have recently had me laughing and nodding at things they've written, writing whose quality of observation and expression enable what they say to, off and on, carry the irresistible ring of authenticity. Steyn's latest effort on John Kerry in the Chicago Sun-Times, reminds me of the Scarlet Pimpernel (alright, I mean the film version with Anthony Andrews) fighting Chauvelin- each time they approach each other, Chauvelin lunges and the S.P. nips one of the buttons off his clothing. On and on this continues, until, lo, Chauvelin is somewhat exposed. There's even a French connection too. Hari's contribution to the mirth is a hilarious account of an interview with 'Busted' (via Harry's Place), in which the odd triumvirate are more 'Gutted' than 'Busted', as Hari exposes by turns their pettiness, shallowness and artificiality in a way painful to the funny muscles (mind you, I find myself asking, why just them?). What marks both of these writers is the ability to turn a phrase and a delight in not pulling punches. Maybe each recognising the other's writing strategums is what makes them instantly begin to carp at each other across the ideological divide. Normally Righties accept the 'likely' idiocy and moral superiorism of Lefties without personal anima, and Lefties accept that Righties are 'probably' corrupt, populist and manipulative. However, in this case Hari thinks Steyn is 'odious', while Steyn said something about as offensive about Hari in the Spectator recently. Both, incidentally(?), supported the war in Iraq quite vociferously- as do I.