I used to know Republicans like Sandra Day O’Connor. There may be a few of them left, but they are invisible and ignored because they don’t live seeking attention or “clicks”.
There's goodness in many people irrespective of political parties, and for some there is not. Difference was so severe it caused Cain to kill Abel.
Hate because of political stance still foments in both parties. but not for O'Connor. We can find warm tolerance amng many of us. Sadly, the media makes many millions by foment more political hate.
You, Good Sir, are among those who can tolerate occasional differing political views. So did many politicians over the years. Sadly, there are still too few of you on both sides.
God bless O'Connor. There are others too. Promote them if you can. Listen to their stance. Find and share workable views.
I loved reading your tribute to Ms. O'Conner; she will be sorely missed. You may not know us personally, but I bet you have many pragmatic farmers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, and such who read and enjoy your column. Some of us are even Republicans and Independents - I used to be a Democrat, but became an Independent because I wanted to be able to vote for people rather than their parties. I'm a small town woman and my nails are often encrusted with gardening soil during the summer, when my husband I discuss the best time to buy hay, which is best (ideally) after three solid days of good, hot, sunny weather; in our younger days, we'd worry more because we were among those making the hay (but in these modern mechanical days, it's too dangerous to read and drive a tractor at the same time). I've read about the farmer's markets in NYC, I bet some of the folks there would be very happy to discuss the weather and the minutiae of producing their crops with you, if you stop by and care to ask. 😊
Now I'm off to feed the donkeys and chickens. It's a relatively balmy 26° out there today, when compared to the 14° of yesterday. Have a good day!
I have sisters, no brothers, and daughters, no sons. Dad died when I was 15.
I have lived among women almost all my 78 years, and that alone should tell you where I stand. Most, not all, have leaned leftward, some more than others. Some much more than others.
Add to that that I've lived in or near big cities since I left college, losing those face-to-face discussions with folks in small towns or on farms, discussions I had plenty of growing up, now relying instead on the minefield of online conversations.
I worry that my outlook will slide out of control with the only apparent alternative viewpoint these days being so repugnant that I just move farther left.
Well Garrison, I did find the 2008 interview with Sandra Day O’Connor and watched/listened to it all. What I wouldn't give to have that interview be today. Thanks, rr
I grew up in Queens, New York City. In a full Italian-American family. My wife grew up on a farm near the small town of Stanhope, Iowa. She would humorously refer to it as Stand-and-Hope, so small it was. Mom was German. Dad was Norwegian. To say we came from different backgrounds is an understatement. In many ways, we couldn’t be more different. Yet, for 30 years, we’ve been getting it done. Oh, we have our disagreements alright. But, in the end, we know how to get it done. Maybe that’s our secret, now that you mention it. I wish the President and Senate would serve up more people like Sandra Day O’Conner. Not because of her ideology. Rather, because in a crucial moment, she knew how to size things up, fairly, and get it done.
It saddens and surprises me that he says he has no Republican friends. I’m sure many Republicans listen to him and what he has to say, like Sandra O’Conner would have. That would have to be intentional.
Everything you say about Sandra Day O'Connor is true... But think of what her legacy might have been had she not put George Bush into the Presidency... We would not have known how important that vote could have been because we would not have gone to war with Iraq...we might well have been in a far better place, planet-wise, regarding the intense changes in our weather... So, for all the good she did for women, she did little good for the world population as a whole. One mistake in her tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court overshadows her life of good works...by far...
You're at least half-right! There is debate to this day on whether or not stopping the re-count had a significant impact on that election.. Justice O'Connor may be being given a bad rap for her, some would say, hasty decision. At any rate, it's moot, right?
Well, no, all five justices in the Bush v. Gore majority deserve condemnation for their nakedly partisan, nonsensically reasoned decision. It just turns out it was almost certainly inconsequential. But they didn't know that.
I used to know Republicans like Sandra Day O’Connor. There may be a few of them left, but they are invisible and ignored because they don’t live seeking attention or “clicks”.
Thank you GK. We needed that. And we need as many practical women as can get.
“Hold back the edges of your gowns, ladies, we are going through hell” wrote William Carlos Williams.
Now Justices O’Connor and Ginsburg have started the Heavenly Smart Women’s Club.
There's goodness in many people irrespective of political parties, and for some there is not. Difference was so severe it caused Cain to kill Abel.
Hate because of political stance still foments in both parties. but not for O'Connor. We can find warm tolerance amng many of us. Sadly, the media makes many millions by foment more political hate.
You, Good Sir, are among those who can tolerate occasional differing political views. So did many politicians over the years. Sadly, there are still too few of you on both sides.
God bless O'Connor. There are others too. Promote them if you can. Listen to their stance. Find and share workable views.
There's a lesson here for us all. More we need.
A beautiful, heartfelt tribute. Another reminder that Republicans were a totally different breed back in the day …
Yes. We owe her great respect and gratitude. May her memory be a blessing.
I loved reading your tribute to Ms. O'Conner; she will be sorely missed. You may not know us personally, but I bet you have many pragmatic farmers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians, and such who read and enjoy your column. Some of us are even Republicans and Independents - I used to be a Democrat, but became an Independent because I wanted to be able to vote for people rather than their parties. I'm a small town woman and my nails are often encrusted with gardening soil during the summer, when my husband I discuss the best time to buy hay, which is best (ideally) after three solid days of good, hot, sunny weather; in our younger days, we'd worry more because we were among those making the hay (but in these modern mechanical days, it's too dangerous to read and drive a tractor at the same time). I've read about the farmer's markets in NYC, I bet some of the folks there would be very happy to discuss the weather and the minutiae of producing their crops with you, if you stop by and care to ask. 😊
Now I'm off to feed the donkeys and chickens. It's a relatively balmy 26° out there today, when compared to the 14° of yesterday. Have a good day!
I have sisters, no brothers, and daughters, no sons. Dad died when I was 15.
I have lived among women almost all my 78 years, and that alone should tell you where I stand. Most, not all, have leaned leftward, some more than others. Some much more than others.
Add to that that I've lived in or near big cities since I left college, losing those face-to-face discussions with folks in small towns or on farms, discussions I had plenty of growing up, now relying instead on the minefield of online conversations.
I worry that my outlook will slide out of control with the only apparent alternative viewpoint these days being so repugnant that I just move farther left.
Well Garrison, I did find the 2008 interview with Sandra Day O’Connor and watched/listened to it all. What I wouldn't give to have that interview be today. Thanks, rr
Kind sir, could you please supply us with a link? I have not been able to find it Thank you ~ AW
Hi Annie: I just put into the Google line, "2008 interview with Sandra Day O'Connor". Thanks for asking. rr
I grew up in Queens, New York City. In a full Italian-American family. My wife grew up on a farm near the small town of Stanhope, Iowa. She would humorously refer to it as Stand-and-Hope, so small it was. Mom was German. Dad was Norwegian. To say we came from different backgrounds is an understatement. In many ways, we couldn’t be more different. Yet, for 30 years, we’ve been getting it done. Oh, we have our disagreements alright. But, in the end, we know how to get it done. Maybe that’s our secret, now that you mention it. I wish the President and Senate would serve up more people like Sandra Day O’Conner. Not because of her ideology. Rather, because in a crucial moment, she knew how to size things up, fairly, and get it done.
It’s very dry here in the Piedmont of NC.
On a Christian talk show, Sandra Day O'Conner was solemnly asked "Justice O'conner, just when does life begin?"
She replied "When the kids are off to college and the dog dies."
I do miss the old Republican party.
Beautifully written!
It saddens and surprises me that he says he has no Republican friends. I’m sure many Republicans listen to him and what he has to say, like Sandra O’Conner would have. That would have to be intentional.
Everything you say about Sandra Day O'Connor is true... But think of what her legacy might have been had she not put George Bush into the Presidency... We would not have known how important that vote could have been because we would not have gone to war with Iraq...we might well have been in a far better place, planet-wise, regarding the intense changes in our weather... So, for all the good she did for women, she did little good for the world population as a whole. One mistake in her tenure as a Justice of the Supreme Court overshadows her life of good works...by far...
Had the Court not halted the recount, Bush would almost certainly have won the election anyway, extensive analysis has shown.
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You're at least half-right! There is debate to this day on whether or not stopping the re-count had a significant impact on that election.. Justice O'Connor may be being given a bad rap for her, some would say, hasty decision. At any rate, it's moot, right?
Well, no, all five justices in the Bush v. Gore majority deserve condemnation for their nakedly partisan, nonsensically reasoned decision. It just turns out it was almost certainly inconsequential. But they didn't know that.
Blessed be the man who never made a mistake. Lord knows he needs blessing.