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Legion – All well said. Benson, why do you have to turn everything into a negative? Your need to interject is truly uncalled for. Leave it to speak for itself as a well-turned statement.
You’re a good man, and I don’t mean your political views. You don’t have to apologize for the success you’ve rightfully earned. You should be proud that you rose from the streets of East NY to become what you are. You represent what’s best about this country. The fact that you felt the need to write that post says something about where this thread is at. All the best to you and your family.
d) The next person who tells me “Oh, that’s the best age!” when they see my tiny baby will get their ass kicked. People who say that are too stupid to live.
posted by cobblehiller:
“It’s interesting to me to note that two people here that have complained the loudest about the Kennedys also happen to have enormous chips on their shoulders about where they come from, their place in the world and what they have achieved.”
Hi everyone,
I’m making a point to post in the OT on the weekend, something I usually don’t do, because I feel there is
a great deal of mischaracterization going on here.
Let me start by saying that I deeply respect the contributions made by the Kennedy family to this nation. Several gave their lives for this country, including a President. They have suffered much tragedy. They have also known much triumph.
I disagree strongly with their politics mainly on the basis of their liberal ideas with regards to the poor.
I simply don’t agree with their prescription because it has not been proven to be successful over the decades.
This, I have witnessed first hand.
I won’t get into that battle here though. I also disagree with the “do as I say, not as I do” way that they shelter their wealth in offshore accounts.
That being said, again, I recognize and respect their contributions.
My initial statement yesterday applied to all political dynasties and YES that includes the Bush clan.
That American political dynasties don’t last because of the dissipation of drive that occurs over generations. Again, it’s also the reason that entire civilizations rise and fall. I stand by my words.
On the Bush clan I don’t really see them going into a another strong generation, except perhaps George Prescott Bush “the brown one” who is part hispanic and son of Jeb Bush. He’s attractive, a lawyer and certainly has a name but I have yet to see much of his drive (contrast with Senator Marco Rubio who is the son of immigrants and Hispanic as well).
We know that G. Prescott Bush’s sister had problems and it seems Jeb Bush is attempting to avoid the intense spotlight that might come from a Presidential run for those reasons. Generations of privilege do take their toll and again, I’m talking about the Bush family here.
I also brought up the Lincolns who, unfortunately, don’t even have direct descendents who surivived into the 21st century.(The last Lincoln died in 1985)
My “complaint” about the Kennedys yesterday came in response to rude questions by cobblehiller and bxgrl about my own worth and my own “contributions” to this country.
Answering these directly, I stated that perhaps I had equally valid real life experience, both good and bad, and could speak to more real life issues than say a Caroline Kennedy or a Patrick Kennedy. I don’t know her or him personally, but I know that neither of them has had to start from scratch as, say our current President Obama did. As I have and many OT posters have.
That is, starting off without privilege and achieving a good measure of success for themselves. I also do not, by any means discount the ability of someone who has come from a life of privilege or the middle class for that matter, to lead or succeed but I do believe that history shows that both politics and wealth are very hard to pass along for several generations.
Furthermore, the idea that a person should be offered a leadership position in our society based largely on their family’s past “contributions” like a Bush or a Kennedy seems to me, patently un-American.
Cobblehiller states that I have a chip on my shoulder about where I come from. I disagree entirely. My proof: I’ve worked my entire career in New York City’s poor and underserved areas (Bushwick, Bedford Stuyvesant, East New York and the South Bronx). And I love it. I pass by the crime-addled area in the 75th precinct, where I grew up practically every day. It’s doing better than before, I’m glad to say.
I’ve also invested in property in Bedford-Stuyvesant and helped to revitalize that block. Not my words, my neighbor’s words. People who have lived there for decades.
Same in Bushwick where I’ve also invested. I put my money where my mouth is, into minority communities.
Honestly, I don’t seek to pat myself on the back for this, but in my own defense wouldn’t anyone list their accomplishments?
Cobblehiller states that I have a chip on my shoulder about my place in the world and what I have achieved. Again, I disagree entirely, why wouldn’t I be proud about being a Board Certified doctor? I’m privileged to work on people for a living. As for my place in the world, I will say this, I am comfortable where I am and confident about where I can go and at times this can come across as being pretentious. The hyperbolic and bombastic persona I exhibit on the OT is a means getting my point across more directly. I talk politics a great deal because I am more involved in it than some might realize.
(I am willing to give more details on this in person).
I enjoy the community that has developed here on brownstoner and I realize that everyone here is a greatly accomplished individual in their own unique way. If anything, I think that’s what the varied group of posters have in common. Frankly, I’m fascinated by the diversity of opinion and experience on this web site. That’s why I spend so much time here in the first place.
I realize that we disagree often and sometimes too loudly
but in the end, it’s nothing personal.
P.S. Thanks for the info on Cartagena ENY
and the kind words yesterday donatella. ;o)
Oh and re Kennedys and above dustup, I feel the need to hold hands with everyone and sing Kumbaya. But whenever the desire for peace and love overtakes me in these situations, I always get punched in the face.
I just came in from running around doing errands and felt the need to go to the Brownstoner Flea up the street from me. I also seem to feel the need to like this thing, like it should be good in some way — i.e. a place to buy useful things for brownstones, bring business to us, be fun, etc.
None of the above. It has become a food place. I have said this before but it is even more true. There were the food stands with monstrous snaking lines to buy food. Then the usual arts and crafts things (jewelry, little pictures), vintage jewelry (probably the best of the lot) and of course, old clothes. But basically it is morphing into some kind of food fair primarily. I did have the fleeting sensation of channeling *rob* when the word MoonFace kept coming to me. Moonface and hipster. Can they be the same?
-I commented on the Kennedy’s because that was the topic of the day. I did not “criticize the Kennedy’s”. I gave my thoughts on each of them, one-by-one. I called Jack Kennedy a great president, and I called Joe Kennedy a hero.
I did not make it a “republican response”.
-I have no response to the ad hominen attacks.
-Re: Laura Bush’s accident. I also have no comment on any attempt to equate an accident with an incident wherein: a) there was prior heavy drinking; b) a person ran away from the scene of an accident and never reported it to the police and c) fought against an autopsy.
“… much that they’ve said about them can be said about the Bushes.”
dh – The word “classy” could conceivably be used of Bush the elder but no way in hell can it be used of the younger.
Legion – All well said. Benson, why do you have to turn everything into a negative? Your need to interject is truly uncalled for. Leave it to speak for itself as a well-turned statement.
Legion;
You’re a good man, and I don’t mean your political views. You don’t have to apologize for the success you’ve rightfully earned. You should be proud that you rose from the streets of East NY to become what you are. You represent what’s best about this country. The fact that you felt the need to write that post says something about where this thread is at. All the best to you and your family.
a) Nobody is reading this post.
b) Damn, legion. That’s too long to read.
c) Sad I missed the april foolery.
d) The next person who tells me “Oh, that’s the best age!” when they see my tiny baby will get their ass kicked. People who say that are too stupid to live.
posted by cobblehiller:
“It’s interesting to me to note that two people here that have complained the loudest about the Kennedys also happen to have enormous chips on their shoulders about where they come from, their place in the world and what they have achieved.”
Hi everyone,
I’m making a point to post in the OT on the weekend, something I usually don’t do, because I feel there is
a great deal of mischaracterization going on here.
Let me start by saying that I deeply respect the contributions made by the Kennedy family to this nation. Several gave their lives for this country, including a President. They have suffered much tragedy. They have also known much triumph.
I disagree strongly with their politics mainly on the basis of their liberal ideas with regards to the poor.
I simply don’t agree with their prescription because it has not been proven to be successful over the decades.
This, I have witnessed first hand.
I won’t get into that battle here though. I also disagree with the “do as I say, not as I do” way that they shelter their wealth in offshore accounts.
That being said, again, I recognize and respect their contributions.
My initial statement yesterday applied to all political dynasties and YES that includes the Bush clan.
That American political dynasties don’t last because of the dissipation of drive that occurs over generations. Again, it’s also the reason that entire civilizations rise and fall. I stand by my words.
On the Bush clan I don’t really see them going into a another strong generation, except perhaps George Prescott Bush “the brown one” who is part hispanic and son of Jeb Bush. He’s attractive, a lawyer and certainly has a name but I have yet to see much of his drive (contrast with Senator Marco Rubio who is the son of immigrants and Hispanic as well).
We know that G. Prescott Bush’s sister had problems and it seems Jeb Bush is attempting to avoid the intense spotlight that might come from a Presidential run for those reasons. Generations of privilege do take their toll and again, I’m talking about the Bush family here.
I also brought up the Lincolns who, unfortunately, don’t even have direct descendents who surivived into the 21st century.(The last Lincoln died in 1985)
My “complaint” about the Kennedys yesterday came in response to rude questions by cobblehiller and bxgrl about my own worth and my own “contributions” to this country.
Answering these directly, I stated that perhaps I had equally valid real life experience, both good and bad, and could speak to more real life issues than say a Caroline Kennedy or a Patrick Kennedy. I don’t know her or him personally, but I know that neither of them has had to start from scratch as, say our current President Obama did. As I have and many OT posters have.
That is, starting off without privilege and achieving a good measure of success for themselves. I also do not, by any means discount the ability of someone who has come from a life of privilege or the middle class for that matter, to lead or succeed but I do believe that history shows that both politics and wealth are very hard to pass along for several generations.
Furthermore, the idea that a person should be offered a leadership position in our society based largely on their family’s past “contributions” like a Bush or a Kennedy seems to me, patently un-American.
Cobblehiller states that I have a chip on my shoulder about where I come from. I disagree entirely. My proof: I’ve worked my entire career in New York City’s poor and underserved areas (Bushwick, Bedford Stuyvesant, East New York and the South Bronx). And I love it. I pass by the crime-addled area in the 75th precinct, where I grew up practically every day. It’s doing better than before, I’m glad to say.
I’ve also invested in property in Bedford-Stuyvesant and helped to revitalize that block. Not my words, my neighbor’s words. People who have lived there for decades.
Same in Bushwick where I’ve also invested. I put my money where my mouth is, into minority communities.
Honestly, I don’t seek to pat myself on the back for this, but in my own defense wouldn’t anyone list their accomplishments?
Cobblehiller states that I have a chip on my shoulder about my place in the world and what I have achieved. Again, I disagree entirely, why wouldn’t I be proud about being a Board Certified doctor? I’m privileged to work on people for a living. As for my place in the world, I will say this, I am comfortable where I am and confident about where I can go and at times this can come across as being pretentious. The hyperbolic and bombastic persona I exhibit on the OT is a means getting my point across more directly. I talk politics a great deal because I am more involved in it than some might realize.
(I am willing to give more details on this in person).
I enjoy the community that has developed here on brownstoner and I realize that everyone here is a greatly accomplished individual in their own unique way. If anything, I think that’s what the varied group of posters have in common. Frankly, I’m fascinated by the diversity of opinion and experience on this web site. That’s why I spend so much time here in the first place.
I realize that we disagree often and sometimes too loudly
but in the end, it’s nothing personal.
P.S. Thanks for the info on Cartagena ENY
and the kind words yesterday donatella. ;o)
…See you all Monday.
Oh and re Kennedys and above dustup, I feel the need to hold hands with everyone and sing Kumbaya. But whenever the desire for peace and love overtakes me in these situations, I always get punched in the face.
Ah Kumbaya anyway. Peace and Love. [ducking]
I just came in from running around doing errands and felt the need to go to the Brownstoner Flea up the street from me. I also seem to feel the need to like this thing, like it should be good in some way — i.e. a place to buy useful things for brownstones, bring business to us, be fun, etc.
None of the above. It has become a food place. I have said this before but it is even more true. There were the food stands with monstrous snaking lines to buy food. Then the usual arts and crafts things (jewelry, little pictures), vintage jewelry (probably the best of the lot) and of course, old clothes. But basically it is morphing into some kind of food fair primarily. I did have the fleeting sensation of channeling *rob* when the word MoonFace kept coming to me. Moonface and hipster. Can they be the same?
Wow;
I am wondering about the bad vibe in the OT.
A few points:
-I commented on the Kennedy’s because that was the topic of the day. I did not “criticize the Kennedy’s”. I gave my thoughts on each of them, one-by-one. I called Jack Kennedy a great president, and I called Joe Kennedy a hero.
I did not make it a “republican response”.
-I have no response to the ad hominen attacks.
-Re: Laura Bush’s accident. I also have no comment on any attempt to equate an accident with an incident wherein: a) there was prior heavy drinking; b) a person ran away from the scene of an accident and never reported it to the police and c) fought against an autopsy.
“i think it’s funny benson and legion criticize the kennedy’s – but much that they’ve said about them can be said about the Bushes.”
“The word “classy” could conceivably be used of Bush the elder but no way in hell can it be used of the younger.”
Agreed, on both counts.
“… much that they’ve said about them can be said about the Bushes.”
dh – The word “classy” could conceivably be used of Bush the elder but no way in hell can it be used of the younger.