You know, reading David Brooks's review of Andrew Sullivan's new book in the NYTBR yesterday wasn't the first time I suspected that Review caricaturist André Carrilho was deliberately distorting his subject to work in the shape of a penis, but it certainly was the most blatant. I'm not quite sure what subtext is at play—it could just as easily be a reference to Sullivan's sexuality as to his outspoken conservative politics, or maybe Carrilho just likes penises—but I don't think there's any denying the intentionality of the visual pun here. Too bad: the cheap shot in the illustration mars what is otherwise a very thoughtful consideration by Brooks on the political philosophy of his colleague and friend. (Speaking of which, I might have welcomed some disclosure about how Brooks was the follow-up act at Sullivan's Cato Institute lecture on The Conservative Soul three weeks ago, but we'll let that slide.)

So far, in his reactions to the review, Sullivan is taking the high road, dealing only with his disagreements with Brooks, because that's the kind of class act he is.