I have be subscribe to Harper 's for year . in fact , I start after read editor Lewis Lapham 's `` money and class in America : Notes and observation on we civil Religion '' and at least one other book , a collection of he essay .  First , Lapham 's `` column '' at the beginning of each issue I can not recommend enough . in the case of the recent Iraq war , for example , Mr. Lapham have the gut to stand up against it . and he do so in a eloquent and erudite way , less volatile than any stand I be able to publicly make .  the rest of the content be the best I have ever read in a american periodical . for those who refer to Harper 's as `` leftist , '' I be force to disagree . there have be article that be not remotely `` leftist , '' with some of which I happen to agree . but most would consider most of the material `` liberal . ''  -lrb- while I be not much of a short story reader , those who read they in this magazine say they be the best . -rrb-  thanks so much , Mr. Lapham , for you erudite commentary on Iraq , on George W. , on 9\/11 , and on countless other subject . I look forward to each issue .