My first editor once remarked, "Isn't it a good thing we don't have a _real_ meritocracy?" He meant, of course, that if we had an honest-to-goodness meritocracy, most of the so-called elite would be consigned to mediocrity. He also meant the opportunity existed for mediocrities to shine now and again. You take the good, you take the bad, as the sages say.
I’m optimistic that we are at the inflection point of the low ebb of cherishing mediocrity. There’s a rumble - your essay and comments as evidence. In the US, biggest challenge is teachers unions, in my opinion. But interestingly, the young parents I know are serious about educating, not indoctrinating, their children. Transparency is working!
“The polls suggest he’s about as popular as a razor-sharp candiru parasite travelling down one’s urethra.” As someone who comes from the land of candirus (Brazil), I very much appreciate the representation in your figurative urethra!
Also, welcome back! Your wit is always a ray of sunshine in an otherwise grim reading of the Zeitgeist.
Strange that electorates in recent times always seem to be offered the choice of 2 hugely unpalatable candidates. UK, US and France are startling examples. Strange too, that if all else fails, the candidate is installed by a 'soft' coup: witness 'Dave' Cameron and 'Richie' Sunak.
I know next to nothing about British politics. I understand your parliament system. We studied it in high school. Of course that was in the 1970s.
Now American politics I do understand. I believe we have two parties, the evil leftist democrats and the mostly cowardly Republicans. There are a handful of constitutional conservatives in the house and senate.
As for Trump, he is the epitome of the cowardly republican. He never vetoed one bill in 4 years. He drove up our debt by 8 trillion in 4 years.
In my dreams this election year will be the one in which the British electorate finally wises up to the BBC/ITV /C4 election time, party-political psychodrama - and sees it for the reality-tv show (and journo job-creation scheme) that it has long since been. And then cottons on to the fact that the British "Government" is now basically the British Civil Service (university-sheep-dipped to a 'person') garnished with a few pop-up 'politician' figures to make it look like a Democracy.
Good to have you back.....I don't make NY resolutions, I'm perfect, obvs, and I'm drinking prosecco weekly (cheaper than beer at the moment)....I'd rather Sunak than Smarmer. Please, not Smarmer. What's a woman, Keiff? Well....it's someone with a penis or not? For the love of God, I just want to stick pins in my eyes every time I hear that nasal whine...."I'm a man of many principles, which ones would you like?"
My first editor once remarked, "Isn't it a good thing we don't have a _real_ meritocracy?" He meant, of course, that if we had an honest-to-goodness meritocracy, most of the so-called elite would be consigned to mediocrity. He also meant the opportunity existed for mediocrities to shine now and again. You take the good, you take the bad, as the sages say.
Welcome back. Mr Gage! I missed the snark!
I’m optimistic that we are at the inflection point of the low ebb of cherishing mediocrity. There’s a rumble - your essay and comments as evidence. In the US, biggest challenge is teachers unions, in my opinion. But interestingly, the young parents I know are serious about educating, not indoctrinating, their children. Transparency is working!
“The polls suggest he’s about as popular as a razor-sharp candiru parasite travelling down one’s urethra.” As someone who comes from the land of candirus (Brazil), I very much appreciate the representation in your figurative urethra!
Also, welcome back! Your wit is always a ray of sunshine in an otherwise grim reading of the Zeitgeist.
I love it. Crème de la crème. It takes a trained eye to spot gold. That’s why most the stuff we love the authors dead.
Wow, I think you made some good points here. And I like the description of R vs D as syphilis vs herpes.
Strange that electorates in recent times always seem to be offered the choice of 2 hugely unpalatable candidates. UK, US and France are startling examples. Strange too, that if all else fails, the candidate is installed by a 'soft' coup: witness 'Dave' Cameron and 'Richie' Sunak.
Mr. Gage, welcome back. I hope you are well.
I know next to nothing about British politics. I understand your parliament system. We studied it in high school. Of course that was in the 1970s.
Now American politics I do understand. I believe we have two parties, the evil leftist democrats and the mostly cowardly Republicans. There are a handful of constitutional conservatives in the house and senate.
As for Trump, he is the epitome of the cowardly republican. He never vetoed one bill in 4 years. He drove up our debt by 8 trillion in 4 years.
His only lasting achievement?
Using the federalist societies list of judges.
So, no, Trump is no better than Biden.
In my dreams this election year will be the one in which the British electorate finally wises up to the BBC/ITV /C4 election time, party-political psychodrama - and sees it for the reality-tv show (and journo job-creation scheme) that it has long since been. And then cottons on to the fact that the British "Government" is now basically the British Civil Service (university-sheep-dipped to a 'person') garnished with a few pop-up 'politician' figures to make it look like a Democracy.
Good to have you back.....I don't make NY resolutions, I'm perfect, obvs, and I'm drinking prosecco weekly (cheaper than beer at the moment)....I'd rather Sunak than Smarmer. Please, not Smarmer. What's a woman, Keiff? Well....it's someone with a penis or not? For the love of God, I just want to stick pins in my eyes every time I hear that nasal whine...."I'm a man of many principles, which ones would you like?"
Brilliant, as always. Good to have you back, Mr. Gage.
You're back in the game, from the first paragraph on. Welcome!
Our two party system is a choice between Syphilis and Herpes.
Yes, that sounds about right.