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Tim Coffey's avatar

Rothman: "Politics is not a sport; it is in fact often deadly serious business. We have drunk deeply from the intoxicating well of partisan political combat for so long that we’ve lost the plot."

He's right, of course. But I think we're talking about people who ultimately don't appreciate what we have and who have mainlined outrage. If you don't appreciate what you have, then you don't appreciate that you can lose it.

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rlritt's avatar

That is so true.

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JF's avatar

To further dissect the mindset of the nihilists; I don’t think they have any concept of how bad “bad” can be. I really believe they haven’t processed empty supermarkets, no fuel, no electricity, no healthcare, no law enforcement except militias, kids not in school. And this from the gang who freaked out when they couldn’t get house paint at Home Depot during pandemic shut downs. I can’t grasp that level of stupid.

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Amanda's avatar

"If you don't appreciate what you have, then you don't appreciate that you can lose it."

And vice versa. If you don't get that this thing we have was hard-won and remains fragile, you won't appreciate it.

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rlritt's avatar

The problem is that one politica group of people has decided that another group of people in the USA who hold different ideas are not only not American, but inhuman and whose rights should be rescinded.

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Tim Coffey's avatar

I'm also convinced there is a lot of narcissism associated with these people. Rand Paul may be able to block Jack Lew's nomination indefinitely and compromise the US's ability to manage the crisis, but Paul doesn't give a shit because the benefits he gets from that action will always outweigh the benefits of having a Senate confirmed ambassador to Israel.

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JF's avatar

Narcissism is our national brand.

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BlueOntario's avatar

Paul does it because he has the power to do so and, the make or break part, it probably gains and certainly doesn't cost him votes. He's not doing it because of any personal moral imperative. It gets his name in the news in what passes for a good way in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

See also a lot of Republican Senators who's names we know too well. It says more about the voters than people want to say (well, we say it here).

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Tim Coffey's avatar

Oh, the voters are awful, and these senators pander to the worst of them. But I still believe narcissism drives Paul and people you're referring to.

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Oct 10, 2023
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JF's avatar

Now that’s a good marker for a very low bar.

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Oct 10, 2023
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Scott Gaynor's avatar

Rothman is one of the worst offenders.

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Tim Coffey's avatar

Well, there's that. NR is definitely home base for a lot of prominent anti-antis. But being employed at NR doesn't preclude him from being correct on this issue.

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Oct 10, 2023
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Tim Coffey's avatar

So unless Rothman leaves AND renounces NR for its role in enabling Trumpism, none of his opinions are valid?

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Oct 10, 2023
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Tim Coffey's avatar

I understand, and you are of course correct. I think what we have to watch is whether or not he'll move to the "light", for lack of a better term. My point was in this instance, his instincts are correct, but unless he starts advocating for more responsible policies and more responsible behavior, it will validate your point.

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