Joe Biden is like that old boyfriend who keeps wanting to give your relationship one more chance. You like him. You have some good memories of your time together. But you no longer feel any passion for him. He’s a particular guy from a particular time in your life. He represents the past, not the future.
Charles Kushner does not need editorial space in the Washington Post to make his voice heard. He is plenty wealthy and connected enough to speak out on his own. But it’s because he has such wealth and connections that he gets the privilege of writing for a major national newspaper. A person born and raised with lesser means would never get the same opportunity.
“Talk less, smile more.” This is the advice Aaron Burr gives to Alexander Hamilton in the first act of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s remarkable musical. According to Burr, speaking up provides fodder for your enemies. Better to keep your opinions to yourself until you know which way the political winds are blowing. This seems to be the Vice President’s current political strategy. We know Mike Pence saw “Hamiton,” because Brandon Victor Dixon famously took to the stage to make an impassioned plea…
Bullies are insecure jerks. You know this if you managed to survive your junior high and high school years. Bullies attack because they fear being attacked. Bullies point out perceived flaws in others to deflect examination of their own shortcomings. The best way to deal with a bully is usually to ignore him. It’s easier said than done. Take the bully-in-chief, who delights in slinging adolescent insults. Horse face, dog, fat pig, slob—and these are just a few of the…
When my husband does something for which he feels he must apologize, I often reassure him by saying, “Don’t worry, that’s not a deal breaker.” My husband, being a good and considerate person, often apologizes for things I wouldn’t even notice. Because of this, I sometimes shout “NOT A DEAL BREAKER!” before he has a chance to apologize. I’m charming like that. This week I read the news about Rep. Duncan Hunter’s indictment for misusing campaign finance funds. I have…