I hope two good things come from his passing.
1. That there's some good media on the day when a politician showed moral courage against a war that was just plain wrong. (ahem)
2. That this will be an opportunity for us old fart lefty bloggers to come out of the woodwork and find each other. Thank you, Technorati.
[Watch this space. I'll do an edit soon to link to some old farts I find in the blogosphere. If you are a said old fart, which means you are at least old enough to remember Watergate Summer, if not earlier, please leave a comment. Thank you.]
Democracy Cell Project has a nice remembrance.
Brilliant at Breakfast is worth a read, too, as is W. David Stephenson.
I remember listening to Nixon's resignation on the radio.
ReplyDeleteI also remember about a year before that, asking my mother what Watergate was all about, and she said (she denies it now, but she really did) that it was a Republican plot to keep Moe Udall out of the White House.
And speaking of people brave enough to say what's on their minds, I hear Richard Pryor died today too.
ReplyDeleteOtter, you are officially "one of us." Welcome.
ReplyDelete(Aside: Qwerty and Blue Gal were born weeks apart, we just didn't know it. And we definitely suffered/benefited from "having a crazy mixed up mom syndrome.")
I was a pisher during the Watergate years (but if you poke around my favorites list, "My Deep Throat" will tell you what I was doing back then). Too many great people dying today.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't remember, I was a mere babe at the time. But I've heard the stories, and seen the movies.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say? He was one of the good guys. Godspeed Mr McCarthy!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteSorry to rain on your parade, but IN MY OPINION Eugene McCarty was a vain and mediocre politician who split the Democratic Party in 1968 thus aiding and abetting Richard Nixon in winning the presidency and prolonging the war for 7 more years. If he was one of the good guys, no wonder US international reputation is in the toilet...
sonia-belle.blogspot.com
I'm definitely an old fart...I remmber Watergate; hearing the word 'indictment' over and over and wondering how it was spelled; I remember Spiro Agnew, 'nattering nabobs of negativism', and 'effete snobs' - and Bebe Rebozo - heck - I was not much more than a baby when Kennedy was shot, but I remember my mother's shock over it.
ReplyDeletea clip from McCarthy responding to that charge of "he's to blame for Nixon winning" on All Things Considered Saturday afternoon. McCarthy points out that Johnson won in 1964 with an 18 million vote surplus. He blames Johnson for throwing away that mandate over Vietnam. You can't blame McCarthy for Vietnam, or for the violence in Chicago which really turned off the silent majority. After that violent summer (AND the assasinations. Holy crap.) people wanted "law and order" and went with Nixon to get it.
ReplyDeleteA commentator pointed out recently that one more 9/11 would end American democracy. no more presidential elections. People get scared and choose "security" over "liberty". Look at the so-called "Patriot Act" for crying out loud. And how many prisoners at Gitmo? Without a lawyer? Hello?
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ReplyDeleteIrregardless of what McCarthy may or may not have done, he at least stood for something with conviction.
ReplyDeleteOne has to brave being called arrogant and stubborn if he or she takes a strong position...any strong position.
These days, politicians are too busy listening to public opinion polls to want to stick their necks out.
P.S. If you're an old fart, Blue Gal, you are one of the youngest old farts I've ever met.
and McCarthy was a college professor!
ReplyDeleteThat ought to tell you something.
The secret to remaining a young old fart is to marry an old old fart. Keeps you looking young by comparison.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, Otter - you took me for a ride on the Wayback Machine. I've thought of that song often during these times.
ReplyDeleteGI - looking forward to that.
BG - you know I'm with you on that (although you have me beat!)
Old Fart checking in! How I do remember those days. I was career Navy (9.5 years) and turned down Chief Petty Officer to leave due to Nam. Only regret leaving the sea, not the military.
ReplyDeleteLot's of young farts changing history back then. Each of us doing our little part.
And now history is repeating itself. Where are the young people? Come on out and join us!
Rich-Writer