“No, it’s not as bad as it sounds: After a woman ran over and killed the bear cub, he took the carcass with the intention of skinning it later and eating the meat.”
I actually think that was a retcon that he added in to try to justify his freakish interest in dead animal bodies. I don’t think the New Yorker indicated that was his intent (after interviewing friends who were there) and…well…he picked up the bear body early in the morning and spent the day hawking with the carcass heating up in his car all day. I don’t think he was going to eat the rancid dead bear. And I don’t think he ever intended to.
I just remembered that T. H. White, the author whose Once and Future King was the inspiration for the play Camelot, also had a very problematic relationship with his hawk and falconry. I wonder if Bob read the book at an impressionable age.
Yeah, there were some good that some of them did, at times--JFK did enforce the existing civil rights laws where he could, and he did eventually propose the civil rights act that LBJ managed to pass--it's just for a family of influential politicians over decades they get WAY more credit than they deserve considering their overall record. And not nearly enough flak for their failings (JFK's Vietnam policy, Teddy's hamstringing of Carter, etc.).
I can think of a few reasons someone might want to have the head of a whale. And I guess a few people who might want to have one. And some of those reasons I actually do respect as okay if that’s your thing. From the artistic (there are people who do things with roadkill and often the skeletons thereof—no I own no such art but I did once consider a very nicely mounted garter snake skeleton) to the biological (legitimate research to okay just curious and hey I just found it anyway)...
(Context: I have a degree in biology. But anatomy was never really my thing. And I never did much with the degree. Or not much in biology. Also I think the last thing I dissected was probably in second year animal physiology, mumble decades ago... Also also I deal about as poorly with the smell of putrescine as most people. Or possibly worse. Not great with strong smells in general.)
Anyway: my point is I feel I have to be a bit nuanced and measured about my criticism here for these reasons. Yes, the Kennedy in question is a dilettante, a loon, and a menace. The disinformation he has spread on vaccines alone almost certainly has a statistical body count owing to his prominence... And that’s before we even get to him apparently attempting to enable a vastly more dangerous loon...
... but I still feel I kinda have to say here ‘not all people who are interested in animal remains’.
I get it’s a bit off-putting. Or a lot. But just collecting the head of a whale on its own, I don’t want there to be splash damage (see what I did there) against just anyone who might do that kinda thing...
This said:
1) there are whales on the protected species list, and it is my understanding in the US collecting the remains of one of those illegal. Most of the people I can think of who might have this sort of interest, I expect they’d know this and respect it. As one of the reasons it’s illegal is there may be a serious scientific interest in such finds. An endangered whale washes up, there are serious researchers who might want to have a look. Would Kennedy give a shit? I’d like to think so. He was an environmental lawyer at one point, and apparently some kinda conservationist. But pardon me while I peer over my microscope and say hmm I wonder about that.
2) bungeeing the rotting head onto the family minivan and getting your kids to wear plastic bags over their heads and heading for the freeway while the thing rotted into the upholstery seems to me just this guy all over, which is probably a big part of why it’s getting such attention. Jesus, dude, rent a pickup truck or something. That had to be a health hazard, a road hazard, besides seriously just fucking gross. Also: do your children still talk to you? Lucky you if so I guess.
Yeah I can dig that - people do that with remains all the time! But bungee-cording to the roof of a car and having the ichor and juice go everywhere is...a choice! And probably some flagrant pollution.
I don’t share the love of the Kennedys that a lot of liberals do. Just a group of entitled, cruel and nasty people who just had good looks and good PR. RFK Jr is just the natural culmination of a clan like that. And naming your daughter “kick”? Might as well name her “we have too much money.”
And Stephen—I just love the idea that your family took the extra apple pie, silently, saying nothing to each other, dividing it up, and you carried the silent guilt for decades! That’s something my family would do.
To be fair, for all his personal failings, Ted Kennedy did do some great domestic policy. Also, JFK for his being a middling president for policy, did at least get the space program ramped up.
Yeah, there were some good that some of them did, at times--JFK did enforce the existing civil rights laws where he could, and he did eventually propose the civil rights act that LBJ managed to pass--it's just for a family of influential politicians over decades they get WAY more credit than they deserve considering their overall record. And not nearly enough flak for their failings (JFK's Vietnam policy, Teddy's hamstringing of Carter, etc.).
The Kennedys were more than that. You’re selling their legacy way too short. Just because RFKJr is a crackpot doesn’t erase the years of liberal service the family has performed, for decades.
What proof do we have that it was another driver who hit the bear? Why do we assume he is being truthful when he tells this tale? I wonder if he hit the bear. Picking it up and hiding it in the van would make slightly more sense. And aren’t we being credulous to the point of inanity if we just accept that he staged a bike accident in Central Park to deflect attention from himself - but also was rushing to the airport? As with many of his other pronouncements, that doesn’t add up.
Most of the Kennedys keep a low profile; it's too bad that RFK the Lesser doesn't follow their example. I am sick of hearing and reading about him, but that pales to how sick and tired I am of reading and hearing about Dump. I blame the legacy media for Dump being a viable presidential candidate in 2024. BTW, nice shade you threw at the NYT, Stephen - well done!
I lived in Westchester County NY (at this particular time in Ossining, just up the road from Sing Sing) when Pete Seeger had a benefit concert for the River Keepers that RFK Jr was a founder, and big gun in. He was not (publically) that crazy back then. (this was '84-'86-ish )
First off, "...to go Leatherface on a dead whale." Too funny. Second, it looks like the Spice Girls' legacy is aging better than the Camelot Kennedys'. Much other good stuff here. Thanks Play Typer Guy! FYI, "Behind the Bastards" podcast just did a great multi-parter on RFK-jay-arrr and how he was both set up to become the problematic person he is--and how he has ably helped worsen his karmic backwash. My other question: Is Cheryl Hines getting ready to pull an "I'm just going out to buy a pack of smokes, honey..." while toting a full suitcase and a series of Swiss bank account numbers?
This article was yet another homerun, full of history and those classic SER phrases.
Every time I see something about Lowly Worm and his completely batshit life, I feel like we're ticking closer and closer to the "He really did eat a guy" event horizon. Everything we learn is just an escalation of Arrested Development plotlines.
SER maybe McD’s gifted your family with an extra apple pie cuz you were nice.
RFKjr on the other hand is batshit crazy. Look, I admit that my husband and I are fascinated with the animals we find who have died on our property from natural causes and predation but we don’t stop on the road and cut off the head to examine them. We just do a little amateur CSI to determine what happened and let them get back into the food chain.
Ya know what? I KNOW RFKjr is a complete idiot. I don't care if he sawed off a whale carcass head-it was dead and I'd prolly want to see the skull, anyway. Continuing to wallow about in this small incident is meaningless. We have bigger fish to fry.
“No, it’s not as bad as it sounds: After a woman ran over and killed the bear cub, he took the carcass with the intention of skinning it later and eating the meat.”
I actually think that was a retcon that he added in to try to justify his freakish interest in dead animal bodies. I don’t think the New Yorker indicated that was his intent (after interviewing friends who were there) and…well…he picked up the bear body early in the morning and spent the day hawking with the carcass heating up in his car all day. I don’t think he was going to eat the rancid dead bear. And I don’t think he ever intended to.
Oh, shit, this is SO apt: "RFK Jr is the Kennedys' Duke of Windsor..."
I just remembered that T. H. White, the author whose Once and Future King was the inspiration for the play Camelot, also had a very problematic relationship with his hawk and falconry. I wonder if Bob read the book at an impressionable age.
i honestly wonder whether Sorkin read the book.
Yeah, there were some good that some of them did, at times--JFK did enforce the existing civil rights laws where he could, and he did eventually propose the civil rights act that LBJ managed to pass--it's just for a family of influential politicians over decades they get WAY more credit than they deserve considering their overall record. And not nearly enough flak for their failings (JFK's Vietnam policy, Teddy's hamstringing of Carter, etc.).
But like I said, they had EXCELLENT PR.
I can think of a few reasons someone might want to have the head of a whale. And I guess a few people who might want to have one. And some of those reasons I actually do respect as okay if that’s your thing. From the artistic (there are people who do things with roadkill and often the skeletons thereof—no I own no such art but I did once consider a very nicely mounted garter snake skeleton) to the biological (legitimate research to okay just curious and hey I just found it anyway)...
(Context: I have a degree in biology. But anatomy was never really my thing. And I never did much with the degree. Or not much in biology. Also I think the last thing I dissected was probably in second year animal physiology, mumble decades ago... Also also I deal about as poorly with the smell of putrescine as most people. Or possibly worse. Not great with strong smells in general.)
Anyway: my point is I feel I have to be a bit nuanced and measured about my criticism here for these reasons. Yes, the Kennedy in question is a dilettante, a loon, and a menace. The disinformation he has spread on vaccines alone almost certainly has a statistical body count owing to his prominence... And that’s before we even get to him apparently attempting to enable a vastly more dangerous loon...
... but I still feel I kinda have to say here ‘not all people who are interested in animal remains’.
I get it’s a bit off-putting. Or a lot. But just collecting the head of a whale on its own, I don’t want there to be splash damage (see what I did there) against just anyone who might do that kinda thing...
This said:
1) there are whales on the protected species list, and it is my understanding in the US collecting the remains of one of those illegal. Most of the people I can think of who might have this sort of interest, I expect they’d know this and respect it. As one of the reasons it’s illegal is there may be a serious scientific interest in such finds. An endangered whale washes up, there are serious researchers who might want to have a look. Would Kennedy give a shit? I’d like to think so. He was an environmental lawyer at one point, and apparently some kinda conservationist. But pardon me while I peer over my microscope and say hmm I wonder about that.
2) bungeeing the rotting head onto the family minivan and getting your kids to wear plastic bags over their heads and heading for the freeway while the thing rotted into the upholstery seems to me just this guy all over, which is probably a big part of why it’s getting such attention. Jesus, dude, rent a pickup truck or something. That had to be a health hazard, a road hazard, besides seriously just fucking gross. Also: do your children still talk to you? Lucky you if so I guess.
Yeah I can dig that - people do that with remains all the time! But bungee-cording to the roof of a car and having the ichor and juice go everywhere is...a choice! And probably some flagrant pollution.
I don’t share the love of the Kennedys that a lot of liberals do. Just a group of entitled, cruel and nasty people who just had good looks and good PR. RFK Jr is just the natural culmination of a clan like that. And naming your daughter “kick”? Might as well name her “we have too much money.”
And Stephen—I just love the idea that your family took the extra apple pie, silently, saying nothing to each other, dividing it up, and you carried the silent guilt for decades! That’s something my family would do.
To be fair, for all his personal failings, Ted Kennedy did do some great domestic policy. Also, JFK for his being a middling president for policy, did at least get the space program ramped up.
Yeah, there were some good that some of them did, at times--JFK did enforce the existing civil rights laws where he could, and he did eventually propose the civil rights act that LBJ managed to pass--it's just for a family of influential politicians over decades they get WAY more credit than they deserve considering their overall record. And not nearly enough flak for their failings (JFK's Vietnam policy, Teddy's hamstringing of Carter, etc.).
But like I said, they had EXCELLENT PR.
i was only going to say that RFK Sr is the only one i've never heard/seen spun as a tool. was that just "poor victim of assassination" PR?
The Kennedys were more than that. You’re selling their legacy way too short. Just because RFKJr is a crackpot doesn’t erase the years of liberal service the family has performed, for decades.
What proof do we have that it was another driver who hit the bear? Why do we assume he is being truthful when he tells this tale? I wonder if he hit the bear. Picking it up and hiding it in the van would make slightly more sense. And aren’t we being credulous to the point of inanity if we just accept that he staged a bike accident in Central Park to deflect attention from himself - but also was rushing to the airport? As with many of his other pronouncements, that doesn’t add up.
Unless someone else admitted to hitting it, I’m assuming he did.
Most of the Kennedys keep a low profile; it's too bad that RFK the Lesser doesn't follow their example. I am sick of hearing and reading about him, but that pales to how sick and tired I am of reading and hearing about Dump. I blame the legacy media for Dump being a viable presidential candidate in 2024. BTW, nice shade you threw at the NYT, Stephen - well done!
I lived in Westchester County NY (at this particular time in Ossining, just up the road from Sing Sing) when Pete Seeger had a benefit concert for the River Keepers that RFK Jr was a founder, and big gun in. He was not (publically) that crazy back then. (this was '84-'86-ish )
First off, "...to go Leatherface on a dead whale." Too funny. Second, it looks like the Spice Girls' legacy is aging better than the Camelot Kennedys'. Much other good stuff here. Thanks Play Typer Guy! FYI, "Behind the Bastards" podcast just did a great multi-parter on RFK-jay-arrr and how he was both set up to become the problematic person he is--and how he has ably helped worsen his karmic backwash. My other question: Is Cheryl Hines getting ready to pull an "I'm just going out to buy a pack of smokes, honey..." while toting a full suitcase and a series of Swiss bank account numbers?
Oh, thanks my friend, some of these lines I can imagine workshopping with you back in the day.
This article was yet another homerun, full of history and those classic SER phrases.
Every time I see something about Lowly Worm and his completely batshit life, I feel like we're ticking closer and closer to the "He really did eat a guy" event horizon. Everything we learn is just an escalation of Arrested Development plotlines.
Thanks!
Well, the GOP may not be the big tent party but they certainly are the big circus tent party.
Also, I’ll just leave this here..
“It’s Sorkin Again in America
At the Chicago convention, the party rediscovered its faith in institutions.”
By Franklin Foer
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/08/dnc-harris-belief-in-institutionalism/679592/
Brain worms and bear cubs and whale heads, oh my! Even Baum couldn’t conceive of those nightmares.
So this is what the it would have been like if George Costanza hadn't happened on the scene.
SER maybe McD’s gifted your family with an extra apple pie cuz you were nice.
RFKjr on the other hand is batshit crazy. Look, I admit that my husband and I are fascinated with the animals we find who have died on our property from natural causes and predation but we don’t stop on the road and cut off the head to examine them. We just do a little amateur CSI to determine what happened and let them get back into the food chain.
Ya know what? I KNOW RFKjr is a complete idiot. I don't care if he sawed off a whale carcass head-it was dead and I'd prolly want to see the skull, anyway. Continuing to wallow about in this small incident is meaningless. We have bigger fish to fry.
We can do both. This, too, shall pass.