Mona Charen and I have recorded another episode of Need to Know. In this one, we’re by turns appalled, flummoxed, irritated, amazed, and repelled by President Obama. In other words, it’s a normal episode — but the occasions for our emotions change, weekly (hourly). This week, we talk about Obama’s “Crusade” remarks, his selfies, and so on. Come to think of it, the man’s entire presidency might be described as a selfie.

We traverse other subjects too, of course, including the late Arnaud de Borchgrave, journalist and personality extraordinaire. I accosted him on the street, once. Just wanted to thank him for all he had done. I learned a lot from him (by reading and watching him, I mean).

In honor of the season — and the weather in much of America — this episode goes out with “The Battle on the Ice” from Alexander Nevsky, by Prokofiev. (If you don’t have time for the movie — the Eisenstein flick — there’s a cantata you can listen to.)

P.S. Firin’ ’em up on the stump, Pat Buchanan used to say, “We will fight until hell freezes over. Then we’re gonna fight on the ice.”