Great column Paul. The Washington Post did a similar story on Tuberville when he was running. Many of his former players were disturbed at the language he was using then. I agree that racist is too casually used at times but in this case, the shoe fits.
Wow! It’s great to have you back, Doc! I’ve missed your thoughts and comments. Regarding Tuberville, I was attending many UC games when he was the coach and, while he did have one decent year with Butch Jones’ kids, he was basically “mailing it in” as far as efforts goes. Ashes tenure fell apart, the true Tuberville began to come out. Politically, he is the perfect Trumper candidate. He is completely ignorant and incompetent on all issues and basically doesn’t know his a$$ from a whole in the ground. Now, he’s added “dangerous” to this definition. The man is a racist ignoramous.
As fro Walker, once again, he is the perfect Trumper candidate. He is completely ignorant politically and in every other way. But this is what the “Republican Party” of today wants. I added the quote to Republican Party because at this very dangerous time in our US history, there really is no Republican Party.
"the US isn't even a country, it's just fourteen corporations in a trench coat"
Doc (and everyone else!) - if you have the time, you might find value in the podcast Real Dictators. I accessed it on spotify. They did about 7 episodes on the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich. Their failed insurrection, propaganda, demonization of others, use of inflation/economic hardship to gain power, destruction of institutions and democracy, magical thinking, spectacle, fashion, etc. I'm not saying we're them, I'm saying what we're experiencing isn't unprecedented. History rhymes.
And Tuberville, nothing more to say than what you did.
True Story: I rented a condo to Tubs and his family the last two years he was coach. When he got fired, I invited him to have a beer with me at a local watering hole, which he accepted. He told me he was moving back to AL and that the governor had recently been fired over sex with his secretary or something. The GOP in AL called and said, we only elect Republicans here, so if you want the job it's yours. His other option was ESPN at $350k/year.
He asked me what I thought, so I asked him if he had a burning desire to make the livelihoods of AL residents better, improve government, root out corruption, and be a good public servant. He paused, then dead-panned....NO. $113k/year and 70 hours a week vs weekend duty and more money.
Surprise! It pays way better to be a Senator and it ain't just your salary from Uncle Sam.
So there's your answer on how he got elected. He's a pawn and will toe the line of the GOP, do what they say. He's not different from a lot of elected, high-level politicians, Democrats included. Neither party is better than the other, they are both littered with charlatans and opportunists that would rather NOT solve problems (race, immigration, taxes, guns) because they have nothing to fight over then.
If it's not obvious that we need term limits at this point in time, then you're willfully blind to reality.
Little known fact. The planes that flew the immigrants up to Martha's Vineyard live at Lunken Airport. Yes, we have that to be proud of. They were formerly commuter planes for that small airline operating out of Lunken that flew short junkets like Chicago, Greensborough, etc, with the idea of saving people the drive to CVG. Went under during Covid. They flew down to Texas, picked up a load of immys, dropped em off, and then flew back to Lunken, where they sit gleaming all shiny in the sun today.
America is like a political prison now, where the inmates think they need to join one of the gangs to survive, and we dare not walk on the wrong side of the yard. Tribalism is not a good way to live. However, if you don't read much, it's your only choice.
Switzerland here. Fair points about Tubbershill and Walker. Yet, somehow, the article and the comments make Dem politicians out to be virtuous people. To a man and woman, binary and non-binary, all politicians are self-serving dirtbags of the highest order. We all know this yet no one DEMANDS term limits. The country would be far better off if our representatives were picked by a monkey throwing his/her own shit at a registered voter list.
Well said. I don't have much respect for most of our elected officials. Nearly all put themselves and their party before our country. I LOVE the idea of term limits. I'd also like to see changes to how we elect folks. Ranked choice voting would go a long way in eliminating some of this tribalism and division. It would disincentivize platforms that cater to the extremes of each party. Currently, moderates like myself are vastly underrepresented. That's a byproduct of a 2-party system and the way our electoral system works.
Neither party will pass meaningful tax laws to increase taxes for the wealthy and ultra wealthy. The shiny object we are shown isn’t the devil in the details reality. There is always a back door tax break in that tax bill written, not by Senators and congressman, but by accountants and lobbyists. See the problem?
In almost every new tax increase, the middle class, by % of income, pays more and more and more. That was true of the HW Bush, Clinton, W Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. It will continue to be that way no matter which party is running the ruse.
Our government grifters aren’t stupid. They all live and die their political lives because of high dollar donations by wealthy connected people. As David Byrne said, “Same as it ever was.”
I believe you because I’ve read your words before but you as a switch-hitter the past few years seem to be batting left against right handers and not playing at all against left handers.
It’s past time for voters of both parties to realize that elected officials only look out for themselves. That party anyone belongs to? That party will drop your subset group like a stone if another group can deliver an election win.
Great column Paul. The Washington Post did a similar story on Tuberville when he was running. Many of his former players were disturbed at the language he was using then. I agree that racist is too casually used at times but in this case, the shoe fits.
Love when you write about topics OTHER than sports!
Wow! It’s great to have you back, Doc! I’ve missed your thoughts and comments. Regarding Tuberville, I was attending many UC games when he was the coach and, while he did have one decent year with Butch Jones’ kids, he was basically “mailing it in” as far as efforts goes. Ashes tenure fell apart, the true Tuberville began to come out. Politically, he is the perfect Trumper candidate. He is completely ignorant and incompetent on all issues and basically doesn’t know his a$$ from a whole in the ground. Now, he’s added “dangerous” to this definition. The man is a racist ignoramous.
As fro Walker, once again, he is the perfect Trumper candidate. He is completely ignorant politically and in every other way. But this is what the “Republican Party” of today wants. I added the quote to Republican Party because at this very dangerous time in our US history, there really is no Republican Party.
Most of you Old Guys don't even know what's going on. And I'm jealous.
I'd say, "don't worry, we'll take care of it." but I'm not sure if we can at this point. At least the 90s were great.
Well said Paul. Tuberville and Walker are barely qualified to be humans.
I disagree. They're all too human.
I saw a smart tweet today:
"the US isn't even a country, it's just fourteen corporations in a trench coat"
Doc (and everyone else!) - if you have the time, you might find value in the podcast Real Dictators. I accessed it on spotify. They did about 7 episodes on the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich. Their failed insurrection, propaganda, demonization of others, use of inflation/economic hardship to gain power, destruction of institutions and democracy, magical thinking, spectacle, fashion, etc. I'm not saying we're them, I'm saying what we're experiencing isn't unprecedented. History rhymes.
And Tuberville, nothing more to say than what you did.
True Story: I rented a condo to Tubs and his family the last two years he was coach. When he got fired, I invited him to have a beer with me at a local watering hole, which he accepted. He told me he was moving back to AL and that the governor had recently been fired over sex with his secretary or something. The GOP in AL called and said, we only elect Republicans here, so if you want the job it's yours. His other option was ESPN at $350k/year.
He asked me what I thought, so I asked him if he had a burning desire to make the livelihoods of AL residents better, improve government, root out corruption, and be a good public servant. He paused, then dead-panned....NO. $113k/year and 70 hours a week vs weekend duty and more money.
Surprise! It pays way better to be a Senator and it ain't just your salary from Uncle Sam.
So there's your answer on how he got elected. He's a pawn and will toe the line of the GOP, do what they say. He's not different from a lot of elected, high-level politicians, Democrats included. Neither party is better than the other, they are both littered with charlatans and opportunists that would rather NOT solve problems (race, immigration, taxes, guns) because they have nothing to fight over then.
If it's not obvious that we need term limits at this point in time, then you're willfully blind to reality.
Right on!!! What a mess we have either made or allowed to be made in thus country.
It was sold. Our country was sold.
It’s said a good DA can indict a ham sandwich. republicans will run a ham sandwich
This is certainly an indictment of our current politics
If people like these two can get elected I’m glad I’m too old to see where it’s headed
Man I feel for my grandkids
You could have rejected the Reagan Revolution.......
Did no one think supply side economics sounded a bit fishy?
Thanks PD!
Direct and to the point. As always...
Writing That moves people.. Genius
Little known fact. The planes that flew the immigrants up to Martha's Vineyard live at Lunken Airport. Yes, we have that to be proud of. They were formerly commuter planes for that small airline operating out of Lunken that flew short junkets like Chicago, Greensborough, etc, with the idea of saving people the drive to CVG. Went under during Covid. They flew down to Texas, picked up a load of immys, dropped em off, and then flew back to Lunken, where they sit gleaming all shiny in the sun today.
America is like a political prison now, where the inmates think they need to join one of the gangs to survive, and we dare not walk on the wrong side of the yard. Tribalism is not a good way to live. However, if you don't read much, it's your only choice.
Switzerland here. Fair points about Tubbershill and Walker. Yet, somehow, the article and the comments make Dem politicians out to be virtuous people. To a man and woman, binary and non-binary, all politicians are self-serving dirtbags of the highest order. We all know this yet no one DEMANDS term limits. The country would be far better off if our representatives were picked by a monkey throwing his/her own shit at a registered voter list.
Well said. I don't have much respect for most of our elected officials. Nearly all put themselves and their party before our country. I LOVE the idea of term limits. I'd also like to see changes to how we elect folks. Ranked choice voting would go a long way in eliminating some of this tribalism and division. It would disincentivize platforms that cater to the extremes of each party. Currently, moderates like myself are vastly underrepresented. That's a byproduct of a 2-party system and the way our electoral system works.
I’ll take the dirtbags that are in favor of healthcare for everyone and higher taxes on Jeff Bezos to pay for it…
Neither party will pass meaningful tax laws to increase taxes for the wealthy and ultra wealthy. The shiny object we are shown isn’t the devil in the details reality. There is always a back door tax break in that tax bill written, not by Senators and congressman, but by accountants and lobbyists. See the problem?
In almost every new tax increase, the middle class, by % of income, pays more and more and more. That was true of the HW Bush, Clinton, W Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. It will continue to be that way no matter which party is running the ruse.
Our government grifters aren’t stupid. They all live and die their political lives because of high dollar donations by wealthy connected people. As David Byrne said, “Same as it ever was.”
True. If Tubs and Walker were Dems, my words would be the same.
I believe you because I’ve read your words before but you as a switch-hitter the past few years seem to be batting left against right handers and not playing at all against left handers.
It’s past time for voters of both parties to realize that elected officials only look out for themselves. That party anyone belongs to? That party will drop your subset group like a stone if another group can deliver an election win.