Aspiring to be civil makes sense if we're talking about our friends and neighbors. That's the bare minimum to get someone to listen, and arguably the first step in nudging someone from enemy to ally.
But SCOTUS justices, politicians, CEOs, etc are not our friends and neighbors. They are the power, and when you're speaking truth to power, you gotta do it with your whole throat.
Brilliant take down! You are a master of commingling pop culture and politics. This read like a subtle horror story displaying the banality of evil. Well done, sir!
I’ve worked with assholes too (who hasn’t?). I was professional when doing so. However, I didn’t spend any time with them outside of work because why would I? If you’re a jerk to people in the office (or at a store, library, etc), I find it hard to believe you’re any better outside of it.
If Breyer reads any of the critiques of his essay, including yours, Stephen, that I have, his feelings won't just be hurt, they'll be Vegematic'd and Bullited into the frothy mix of bullshit and unawareness that his editors should have pointed out to him.
“Bush v. Gore, Castle Rock v. Gonzales, Shelby County v. Holder, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization are more than just legal results.”
This, thank you. It’s amazing what bubbles of privilege can do to what otherwise might have been working brains. Those of us in the real world who suffer the consequences of those “legal results” don’t have the luxury of worrying about whether people disagree “civilly” when discussing the removal of people’s rights.
Cue the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the Swamp Castle king admonishes his guests not to "argue and bicker over who killed who" after Sir Lancelot's brave attack.
I saw Breyer’s appearance on Steven Colbert where he was flogging his book. It was more of the same and I scared the dog by yelling at the TV to “Just ask him about judicial ethics and why the SC should get to accept bribes from billionaires?”
He misses the country club facade. Breyer is trying to equate the court to a boardroom where a decision is made to lay off employees. Sometimes it is necessary, or perhaps just a way to maximize profits. No matter, because it is just business. Everyone on the board makes it to the business lunch meeting afterward, however, and can console themselves that it was for the good of the company.
Well the onus is always on the liberals (and Democrats) to make nice, that's the secret code through all of this. We just have to be nice to our conservative better...oh sorry, majority on the court. And yeah I know this dynamic, having to have comity with assholes who would get rid of my rights in a heartbeat.
And given the composition of the court in Breyer's time, I feel like a voice raised in anger would be rare indeed.
Well that’s some bullshit! God Almighty, can we please add 5 REASONABLE AND RATIONAL people to this shitshow now!!??
Aspiring to be civil makes sense if we're talking about our friends and neighbors. That's the bare minimum to get someone to listen, and arguably the first step in nudging someone from enemy to ally.
But SCOTUS justices, politicians, CEOs, etc are not our friends and neighbors. They are the power, and when you're speaking truth to power, you gotta do it with your whole throat.
>> My vegan friends can overlook my carnivore habits because they’re not on the menu. <<
Brilliant writing here. I've always thought you have a hell of a word lathe.
Brilliant take down! You are a master of commingling pop culture and politics. This read like a subtle horror story displaying the banality of evil. Well done, sir!
Excellent, Stephen. Now I know I do not have to read him, and it was a grim pleasure to read your take on it. Thank you.
Republic, in action. Millennia strong, rolling along.
This is one of your best pieces ever. Thank you for your compelling honesty and the knowledge that drives it.
Thanks!
“It’s not like Barrett heats up fish in the office microwave”
Look, I stopped heating up Salmon. I think Cod is fine.
I’ve worked with assholes too (who hasn’t?). I was professional when doing so. However, I didn’t spend any time with them outside of work because why would I? If you’re a jerk to people in the office (or at a store, library, etc), I find it hard to believe you’re any better outside of it.
This lesser being would like to see the court expanded so that real justice might take a front seat, not just the will of the religious.
If Breyer reads any of the critiques of his essay, including yours, Stephen, that I have, his feelings won't just be hurt, they'll be Vegematic'd and Bullited into the frothy mix of bullshit and unawareness that his editors should have pointed out to him.
Are you saying they''d be Santorumed?
“Bush v. Gore, Castle Rock v. Gonzales, Shelby County v. Holder, and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization are more than just legal results.”
This, thank you. It’s amazing what bubbles of privilege can do to what otherwise might have been working brains. Those of us in the real world who suffer the consequences of those “legal results” don’t have the luxury of worrying about whether people disagree “civilly” when discussing the removal of people’s rights.
Cue the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the Swamp Castle king admonishes his guests not to "argue and bicker over who killed who" after Sir Lancelot's brave attack.
I saw Breyer’s appearance on Steven Colbert where he was flogging his book. It was more of the same and I scared the dog by yelling at the TV to “Just ask him about judicial ethics and why the SC should get to accept bribes from billionaires?”
Undoubtedly that was on the "can't ask about" list they worked out when they booked him.
He misses the country club facade. Breyer is trying to equate the court to a boardroom where a decision is made to lay off employees. Sometimes it is necessary, or perhaps just a way to maximize profits. No matter, because it is just business. Everyone on the board makes it to the business lunch meeting afterward, however, and can console themselves that it was for the good of the company.
Well the onus is always on the liberals (and Democrats) to make nice, that's the secret code through all of this. We just have to be nice to our conservative better...oh sorry, majority on the court. And yeah I know this dynamic, having to have comity with assholes who would get rid of my rights in a heartbeat.
And given the composition of the court in Breyer's time, I feel like a voice raised in anger would be rare indeed.
agreed... from a Roy Zimmerman song 'Vote Republican'
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙚𝙮 𝙇𝙤𝙝𝙖𝙣’𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙, 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙞𝙙
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙑𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣
It’s such an abuser/abused power construct, and I’m sick of living in it, whether it’s on a micro or macro level.