I wholeheartedly agree with you. Mums, teachers, and, ugh, must we, lawyers, or, I guess more accurately, Senate Republican lawyers. "Schoolyard bullies" is spot on. Loved your piece, old man.
Sir, you got that one right between the eyes, and without a speck of profanity. When I think of politics these days, all the words that come to mind have four letters in them. We live in a country bristling with grinning traitors, and people so breathtakingly stupid they...well, they take my breath away. Thanks so much for the fresh air.
Thank you. The behavior of those Republican senators has been truly despicable, and I resent it, too. I can't understand why so many Americans are just fine with their utter lack of decency. Qanon pushes its conspiracy theories about a supposed cabal of liberal pedophiles, and Republican politicians egg them on with lies about a liberal judge's supposed leniency for child pornographers. The GOP is the party of Qanon. Sadly, it's a strategy being used by conservatives around the world. At the same time, you remind us that we don't have to look far to find the beauty in life. I agree.
And don't forget Marcia Blackburn of TN. Don't know if she has grown children or not, but she was one of the tormentors of Judge Jackson, who--unlike Brett Kavanaugh--did not respond with outward anger or whining.
Agree with you Garrison, about the hearings for Judge Jackson. But you left out Marsha Blackburn, the Senator from Tennessee. The lady who always seems to be angry. Tennessee is such a beautiful state and the times that I have been there, the people I met were lovely. But how does such a beautiful state elect a vicious Senator. You did not mention that after the hearings were over, Senators Cotton, Hawley, Graham, and Cruz almost immediately went to be on television programs on Fox. That is what this is all about: television viewers and twitter followers.
The sad fact is that these Senators acted viciously toward this lady and a large segment of America loved it. They tuned in to Fox to hear more and they eat it up. In America, there are fortunes and careers to be made by acting like "schoolyard bullies." Rush died a wealthy man.
Remember that all of these Senators are there because our fellow Americans voted for them. What does that say about America? Maybe we are not as great as we like to think.
On another topic, I also share your problem of thinking of witty remarks about 30 minutes too late. Or rather I don't say what I think when people are talking. Thoughts sometime come to mind but some of these thoughts are not things that I want to say out loud. If I just blurted out what I am thinking, it might offend someone. By the time that I have evaluated thoughts and decided that they won't offend anyone, it is often too late to say them.
Best wishes, Garrison. You seem to be a nice, decent person. Have you ever thought that you could have made lots of money and held important offices if you had been vicious and a school yard bully and had gone into politics?
Some of my acquaintances mention going into politics but I advise against it. For one thing they are not adept at lying and another is they are not good at bullying and badgering. It takes special skills to act the way Senator Cruz acts and keep a straight face.
Best wishes to one and all and stay positive. Things will get better someday.
I have ADHD, which means the executive function of my brain doesn't work too well - this causes me to be a natural born blurter, which can sometimes get me into trouble if I forget to bite my tongue. Luckily my loved ones understand the way my brain works and cheerfully accept my apologies for any bloomers that escape my lips.
I left out Senator Blackburn because she focused on abortion which is an issue with religious underpinnings and I respect that. We need to listen to her side. The business about porn, however, was all for show, cynical in the extreme.
Being old like you, I can remember that when Judge Jackson was born we had high hopes that this utter disregard for Black humanity would have passed. It was so touching to me that the only Black senator on the panel, Cory Booker, offered her a beautiful affirmation, and she seemed grateful, as was I.
Senator Booker's jubilant speech was a high point. Liberals tend to be terribly dry and he and Senator Whitehouse provided the feeling that needed to be expressed.
I didn't watch much of the hearings because the (R) senators were so obnoxious and disrespectful. I happened to turn it on when Sen. Booker was speaking and I am getting tears in my eyes again just thinking about it. I didn't see Sen. Whitehouse's comments, but I will try to find them online. He is from my neighboring state of RI, so I am familiar with him and know that he is a decent and admirable person.
As we say here Down Under, Garrison, good on ya ! Well spake ! [ no, we don't say the latter. I was just waxing a tad Shakespearean ].
Here we are much more British about judicial appointments to our highest court. There is no parliamentary debate. The Attorney-General just appoints someone, and 99% of the country are unaware of it, and much less give a fig.
Our judges tend to be less partisan than in America. They're dry, cautious jurists, mostly devoid of any political or ideological leanings. Sometimes I lament their lack of vision or commitment to any set of values. But at least we don't have the unseemly, acrimonious carry-on you've had about poor Judge Jackson. No judge, whatever their suasion, deserves that.
Ahh, sigh. I'm old enough to remember when American judges were not political. Now our fast food restaurants and craft stores are political. I'm just waiting for the day when I have to boycott air for it's political affiliation.
Your judges sound like what judges should be -- that is less partisan and dry, cautious and devoid of political or ideological leanings. I think the difference is that in American, religion plays a much more prominent role in society and here religion is often mixed up in politics.
I think that people in other countries probably have no understanding of the role that right wing politics and right-wing religion play in this country. That role goes along with the role of Fox and other right-wing media and the big money donors who support the right in politics.
I have a lot of respect for sincere religious belief. But in this country right wing politics and right-wing religion are intermingled and feed off of each other. Many of the people involved in right wing religion and politics are there for political purposes and/or for money making purposes. Some of the television preachers are little more than grifters.
I would add that one other thing that is impossible to understand if you don't live in 21st century America is the downright worship of firearms. A significant (and outsizedly verbal and loud) portion of Americans think their right to own as many AK47s as they can afford is as sacred as their right to worship. It's terrifying and a bit crazed.
I am around some people who own several guns and talk often of buying more. They obviously don't need a lot of guns for safety or hunting. But many buy guns as a type of political statement. Some view it as a way to "own the liberals" or a way to get back at a politician.
Back when President Obama was in the WH, there was an acquaintance who, whenever Obama did something he did not like (which was just about everything that Obama did), would go out and buy another gun. I never understood the point. But he saw buying a gun as a way to get back at President Obama.
As you say, it terrifying and crazed. I really can't understand why people on the Supreme Court seem to support wall to wall guns other than republican right-wing ideology. Having the country awash in guns cannot be good for the country.
I read a lot of thriller and espionage novels and I always have to remind myself that there aren't guns everywhere in ALL the other countries. When the action in in Thailand or France or Helsinki the hero has to find a way to get his gun into the country and everyone around is shocked and horrified when the gun comes out during the action. In the U.S. (especially in the South, where I live) it's nothing at all to assume (or see) that half the men and many of the women walking through the grocery store are fully armed and just waiting for a chance to play hero. Dismaying, to be sure.
Let's applaud all good treatment of one another! Well, the extent to which we can give it. What troubles us in this world of representation is that it can't be done. Take those who cross our borders and do our work on roofs and in the fields, please! Support those who came here from the hills of Cambodia, those who stock our weekly vegetable marketplaces with colors you can't find in the stores. Oh, and whose kids largely lead as valedictorians in our schools.
Now here we are trying to represent us again while knowing full well we can't. The same was true for the other party candidates the last time the Court needed re-filling. We didn't learn then that we just don't have room enough to represent every last one of us. Instead of our doing all this damning finger-pointing, ridiculing, shouting at each other, why not realize that merit is what should lead us to consider and approve.
Bravo! Well done commentary. The accuracy you portray is amazing. I wish more of the folks in the midwest and other parts of the country could acquire the kind of conversion of knowing what New Yorkers know. Glad you are here and could spread the experiences so others can hopefully expand their limited minds and consciousness. Keep on writing. We need you. New Yorkers love you. America must have you.
I've seen no better description than yours of the Judge Jackson "hearings" - coordinated clownery. Glad you had a three-year-old as counterpoint.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Mums, teachers, and, ugh, must we, lawyers, or, I guess more accurately, Senate Republican lawyers. "Schoolyard bullies" is spot on. Loved your piece, old man.
There is a balm in Gilead and his name is Garrison Keillor.
Sir, you got that one right between the eyes, and without a speck of profanity. When I think of politics these days, all the words that come to mind have four letters in them. We live in a country bristling with grinning traitors, and people so breathtakingly stupid they...well, they take my breath away. Thanks so much for the fresh air.
Thank you. The behavior of those Republican senators has been truly despicable, and I resent it, too. I can't understand why so many Americans are just fine with their utter lack of decency. Qanon pushes its conspiracy theories about a supposed cabal of liberal pedophiles, and Republican politicians egg them on with lies about a liberal judge's supposed leniency for child pornographers. The GOP is the party of Qanon. Sadly, it's a strategy being used by conservatives around the world. At the same time, you remind us that we don't have to look far to find the beauty in life. I agree.
Perfectly and succinctly said. Which part? All of it. Thanks G.
Aaaaaaand scene. Bravo, GK! & Thank you!
And don't forget Marcia Blackburn of TN. Don't know if she has grown children or not, but she was one of the tormentors of Judge Jackson, who--unlike Brett Kavanaugh--did not respond with outward anger or whining.
Agree with you Garrison, about the hearings for Judge Jackson. But you left out Marsha Blackburn, the Senator from Tennessee. The lady who always seems to be angry. Tennessee is such a beautiful state and the times that I have been there, the people I met were lovely. But how does such a beautiful state elect a vicious Senator. You did not mention that after the hearings were over, Senators Cotton, Hawley, Graham, and Cruz almost immediately went to be on television programs on Fox. That is what this is all about: television viewers and twitter followers.
The sad fact is that these Senators acted viciously toward this lady and a large segment of America loved it. They tuned in to Fox to hear more and they eat it up. In America, there are fortunes and careers to be made by acting like "schoolyard bullies." Rush died a wealthy man.
Remember that all of these Senators are there because our fellow Americans voted for them. What does that say about America? Maybe we are not as great as we like to think.
On another topic, I also share your problem of thinking of witty remarks about 30 minutes too late. Or rather I don't say what I think when people are talking. Thoughts sometime come to mind but some of these thoughts are not things that I want to say out loud. If I just blurted out what I am thinking, it might offend someone. By the time that I have evaluated thoughts and decided that they won't offend anyone, it is often too late to say them.
Best wishes, Garrison. You seem to be a nice, decent person. Have you ever thought that you could have made lots of money and held important offices if you had been vicious and a school yard bully and had gone into politics?
Some of my acquaintances mention going into politics but I advise against it. For one thing they are not adept at lying and another is they are not good at bullying and badgering. It takes special skills to act the way Senator Cruz acts and keep a straight face.
Best wishes to one and all and stay positive. Things will get better someday.
I have ADHD, which means the executive function of my brain doesn't work too well - this causes me to be a natural born blurter, which can sometimes get me into trouble if I forget to bite my tongue. Luckily my loved ones understand the way my brain works and cheerfully accept my apologies for any bloomers that escape my lips.
I left out Senator Blackburn because she focused on abortion which is an issue with religious underpinnings and I respect that. We need to listen to her side. The business about porn, however, was all for show, cynical in the extreme.
Yes, it'd be interesting if she asked any of the conservative candidates the same questions.
Being old like you, I can remember that when Judge Jackson was born we had high hopes that this utter disregard for Black humanity would have passed. It was so touching to me that the only Black senator on the panel, Cory Booker, offered her a beautiful affirmation, and she seemed grateful, as was I.
Senator Booker's jubilant speech was a high point. Liberals tend to be terribly dry and he and Senator Whitehouse provided the feeling that needed to be expressed.
I didn't watch much of the hearings because the (R) senators were so obnoxious and disrespectful. I happened to turn it on when Sen. Booker was speaking and I am getting tears in my eyes again just thinking about it. I didn't see Sen. Whitehouse's comments, but I will try to find them online. He is from my neighboring state of RI, so I am familiar with him and know that he is a decent and admirable person.
Vert well put.
As we say here Down Under, Garrison, good on ya ! Well spake ! [ no, we don't say the latter. I was just waxing a tad Shakespearean ].
Here we are much more British about judicial appointments to our highest court. There is no parliamentary debate. The Attorney-General just appoints someone, and 99% of the country are unaware of it, and much less give a fig.
Our judges tend to be less partisan than in America. They're dry, cautious jurists, mostly devoid of any political or ideological leanings. Sometimes I lament their lack of vision or commitment to any set of values. But at least we don't have the unseemly, acrimonious carry-on you've had about poor Judge Jackson. No judge, whatever their suasion, deserves that.
Ahh, sigh. I'm old enough to remember when American judges were not political. Now our fast food restaurants and craft stores are political. I'm just waiting for the day when I have to boycott air for it's political affiliation.
Craft stores??? I didn't know about this.
Hobby Lobby
Your judges sound like what judges should be -- that is less partisan and dry, cautious and devoid of political or ideological leanings. I think the difference is that in American, religion plays a much more prominent role in society and here religion is often mixed up in politics.
I think that people in other countries probably have no understanding of the role that right wing politics and right-wing religion play in this country. That role goes along with the role of Fox and other right-wing media and the big money donors who support the right in politics.
I have a lot of respect for sincere religious belief. But in this country right wing politics and right-wing religion are intermingled and feed off of each other. Many of the people involved in right wing religion and politics are there for political purposes and/or for money making purposes. Some of the television preachers are little more than grifters.
You are lucky that you don't have this situation.
I would add that one other thing that is impossible to understand if you don't live in 21st century America is the downright worship of firearms. A significant (and outsizedly verbal and loud) portion of Americans think their right to own as many AK47s as they can afford is as sacred as their right to worship. It's terrifying and a bit crazed.
I am around some people who own several guns and talk often of buying more. They obviously don't need a lot of guns for safety or hunting. But many buy guns as a type of political statement. Some view it as a way to "own the liberals" or a way to get back at a politician.
Back when President Obama was in the WH, there was an acquaintance who, whenever Obama did something he did not like (which was just about everything that Obama did), would go out and buy another gun. I never understood the point. But he saw buying a gun as a way to get back at President Obama.
As you say, it terrifying and crazed. I really can't understand why people on the Supreme Court seem to support wall to wall guns other than republican right-wing ideology. Having the country awash in guns cannot be good for the country.
I read a lot of thriller and espionage novels and I always have to remind myself that there aren't guns everywhere in ALL the other countries. When the action in in Thailand or France or Helsinki the hero has to find a way to get his gun into the country and everyone around is shocked and horrified when the gun comes out during the action. In the U.S. (especially in the South, where I live) it's nothing at all to assume (or see) that half the men and many of the women walking through the grocery store are fully armed and just waiting for a chance to play hero. Dismaying, to be sure.
Let's applaud all good treatment of one another! Well, the extent to which we can give it. What troubles us in this world of representation is that it can't be done. Take those who cross our borders and do our work on roofs and in the fields, please! Support those who came here from the hills of Cambodia, those who stock our weekly vegetable marketplaces with colors you can't find in the stores. Oh, and whose kids largely lead as valedictorians in our schools.
Now here we are trying to represent us again while knowing full well we can't. The same was true for the other party candidates the last time the Court needed re-filling. We didn't learn then that we just don't have room enough to represent every last one of us. Instead of our doing all this damning finger-pointing, ridiculing, shouting at each other, why not realize that merit is what should lead us to consider and approve.
Politicians...
Some grow old and wise
Some grow old and mean
Some grow old and stubborn
And some are never seen
Half cry out for vengance
Half cry out for grace
Do none cry out for mercy
Will justice find a place
Hold fast to hope and kindness
But grip with gentle hand
Pray soon that God might send His peace
To this divided land
Agreed, in every respect.
Bravo! Well done commentary. The accuracy you portray is amazing. I wish more of the folks in the midwest and other parts of the country could acquire the kind of conversion of knowing what New Yorkers know. Glad you are here and could spread the experiences so others can hopefully expand their limited minds and consciousness. Keep on writing. We need you. New Yorkers love you. America must have you.