Very much enjoying Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark's new book, "American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey From Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump". The epithet 'America's Scoundrel' is richly deserved, let's say.
I did not know, or totally forgot, that Roy Cohn and disgraced political consultant Dick Morris were first cousins. And that writer and illustrator Jules Feiffer was a second cousin to both of them.
Good one, America. Eternal vigilance against smooth-talking political con artists should have become your watchword generations ago, but better late than never. It's always a danger in our democracies - look at the UK, where their latest Phony Labour PM just shitcanned his promise to cap political contributions from the wealthy at half a million per oligarch.
The older I get, and I did just turn 60, the more I think the Olds should clear out and let the Youngs take over.
But then I look at my own industry. We're complaining, "Where is the next generation, to take over for us?"
Well, we chased them away. When I was coming up, the message hammered into my head was that there were more workers than jobs, and I could be replaced at the drop of a hat. I saw so many times where the older, better paid, worker was replaced by a Young, whom the older worker was required to train in first. So no way was I going to help my employer replace me and cut payroll.
However, there's nothing inherently virtuous about age or youth. Experience is good, if only because you've made the beginner mistakes already and don't have to do that again.
I will always vote for the candidate who best reflects my values. I don't care about anything else about them. They don't come over to my house for dinner or to just hang out.
The Olds I get pissed off at are those who have stopped paying attention to their constituents, including the Youngs. Get them out of there.
And shitty Youngs can go with them. Not because of their age but due to shitty.
The best part of this is it takes the wind out of the sails of corporate Dems that have been trying to treat the populist movement in the Democrats party as just change or an age thing. No it's that people are sick and tired of a Democrat party that never gets anything done because they are beholden to their corporate donors! If we get money out of politics watch how fast these corporate Democrats change their tune!
who struck a blow for quality and pride in their workmanship when today, upon being shunted about to a new GP/PCP as my previous doctor of record is retiring, I became an enrolled patient of one
So, one thing I think also matters in terms of age: at present, Markey is not in obvious horrible decline. Yes, you do slow down as you age. Part of the issue with age is that Markey is the same age as Trump, and both are only three years younger than Biden. The problem with age is the same we had with Feinstein and currently with McConnell (anyone seen him alive yet???) or with RBG where they refuse to step down when it's good to do so and then bad things happen.
Markey is 80. That's not great. He is, again, the same age as Trump. Unlike Trump, Markey does not appear to be in obvious decline and doesn't appear to have fallen apart. Could he in the next six years? Yes. But that's a bridge you should cross when you get to it.
Right now, he appears fully aware and cognizant and functional. Which is more than we can say about some of the other people in congress, some of who are much younger than him.
that Ed Markey and Trump are the same age is the best evidence that age is just a number, one is sharp and healthy, the other way past his sell-by date
Of course, it's just a primary. But pandering in general elections rarely works. It just makes you look like an indecisive wuss and alienates your core supporters.
What I'm starting to see in the Democratic Party -- and what's giving me a small bit of hope for the future -- is that the better candidate is consistently winning the primary, regardless of labels. Candidate quality matters more than if you're old or young, or establishment, progressive, or DSA. That's a good thing.
Markey seems like a decent guy. I'm not going to have a problem with him as long as he's capable of doing the job, and I don't see any evidence that he's not up to the task.
They are just primaries, though…the only honest elections. I hope I am wrong and there is an actual trend, but maybe better candidates are running or “called” to meet the moment. The regular elections could still be polluted as ever, I imagine. But I am cynical after Texas.
Very much enjoying Kai Bird and Susan Goldmark's new book, "American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey From Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump". The epithet 'America's Scoundrel' is richly deserved, let's say.
I did not know, or totally forgot, that Roy Cohn and disgraced political consultant Dick Morris were first cousins. And that writer and illustrator Jules Feiffer was a second cousin to both of them.
Good one, America. Eternal vigilance against smooth-talking political con artists should have become your watchword generations ago, but better late than never. It's always a danger in our democracies - look at the UK, where their latest Phony Labour PM just shitcanned his promise to cap political contributions from the wealthy at half a million per oligarch.
The older I get, and I did just turn 60, the more I think the Olds should clear out and let the Youngs take over.
But then I look at my own industry. We're complaining, "Where is the next generation, to take over for us?"
Well, we chased them away. When I was coming up, the message hammered into my head was that there were more workers than jobs, and I could be replaced at the drop of a hat. I saw so many times where the older, better paid, worker was replaced by a Young, whom the older worker was required to train in first. So no way was I going to help my employer replace me and cut payroll.
However, there's nothing inherently virtuous about age or youth. Experience is good, if only because you've made the beginner mistakes already and don't have to do that again.
I will always vote for the candidate who best reflects my values. I don't care about anything else about them. They don't come over to my house for dinner or to just hang out.
The Olds I get pissed off at are those who have stopped paying attention to their constituents, including the Youngs. Get them out of there.
And shitty Youngs can go with them. Not because of their age but due to shitty.
Yay for Ed Markey for violating the Democratic rule of Don't Be Old. He's a good guy.
Wasn't Seth Moulton one of the Tim Ryans? I always liked the original the best
He was indeed
I couldn't even remember Tim's last name till you reminded us -- just that they both hated Hillary Clinton
The best part of this is it takes the wind out of the sails of corporate Dems that have been trying to treat the populist movement in the Democrats party as just change or an age thing. No it's that people are sick and tired of a Democrat party that never gets anything done because they are beholden to their corporate donors! If we get money out of politics watch how fast these corporate Democrats change their tune!
okaaaaay a bone was thrown to me today by
the writer's room
who struck a blow for quality and pride in their workmanship when today, upon being shunted about to a new GP/PCP as my previous doctor of record is retiring, I became an enrolled patient of one
Doctor Batty
whose very name befits the times - wheeeeee!
(smoakes moar quantity)
Is that Rasta humor.
it real fucking life, somehow
So, it seems civilization cannot be ended by an AI-equipped nihilist creating superbugs in a few years. Phew!
https://clauswilke.substack.com/p/im-sorry-youre-not-going-to-die-from
MAGAt: All the ways liberals have destroyed society:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVhV4r9Et2w
Call me a centrist, but I'll vote for whichever candidate is willing to reach across the aisle and smack a bastard.
You are definitely not a centrist!
HA HAAAA JAMES SKELETOR CARVILLE
HAAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAA
So, one thing I think also matters in terms of age: at present, Markey is not in obvious horrible decline. Yes, you do slow down as you age. Part of the issue with age is that Markey is the same age as Trump, and both are only three years younger than Biden. The problem with age is the same we had with Feinstein and currently with McConnell (anyone seen him alive yet???) or with RBG where they refuse to step down when it's good to do so and then bad things happen.
Markey is 80. That's not great. He is, again, the same age as Trump. Unlike Trump, Markey does not appear to be in obvious decline and doesn't appear to have fallen apart. Could he in the next six years? Yes. But that's a bridge you should cross when you get to it.
Right now, he appears fully aware and cognizant and functional. Which is more than we can say about some of the other people in congress, some of who are much younger than him.
That’s why we have special elections.
that Ed Markey and Trump are the same age is the best evidence that age is just a number, one is sharp and healthy, the other way past his sell-by date
Like Liz Warren, who will be 81 when her current term expires. I totally trust that She Has a Plan for knowing when it's time for her to retire.
Trump was an idiot even before the dementia took hold.
true
Markey should prove, once and for all, that it's possible to stick up for trans people without losing an election.
And also to utter things like “Green New Deal” 🙀 Maybe it’s okay to stand up for what’s right. Essential even.
Of course, it's just a primary. But pandering in general elections rarely works. It just makes you look like an indecisive wuss and alienates your core supporters.
Yay, Old Balls!
That's what she...nevermind.
What I'm starting to see in the Democratic Party -- and what's giving me a small bit of hope for the future -- is that the better candidate is consistently winning the primary, regardless of labels. Candidate quality matters more than if you're old or young, or establishment, progressive, or DSA. That's a good thing.
Markey seems like a decent guy. I'm not going to have a problem with him as long as he's capable of doing the job, and I don't see any evidence that he's not up to the task.
They are just primaries, though…the only honest elections. I hope I am wrong and there is an actual trend, but maybe better candidates are running or “called” to meet the moment. The regular elections could still be polluted as ever, I imagine. But I am cynical after Texas.