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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.