I am thinking of my grandfather on my Dad's side this evening. I never got to meet him, but he was deeply beloved by everyone in my Dad's family. He was a colonel in World War II in Africa, a JAG, who gave up promotion to General and a prosecutorial spot in the Nuremburg trials because he preferred to start his own practice and spend mor…
I am thinking of my grandfather on my Dad's side this evening. I never got to meet him, but he was deeply beloved by everyone in my Dad's family. He was a colonel in World War II in Africa, a JAG, who gave up promotion to General and a prosecutorial spot in the Nuremburg trials because he preferred to start his own practice and spend more time with his beloved wife and children. It was expected that each year, he would travel to D.C. for business. I hear tell somewhere there is a photo of my Aunt Susie sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, courtesy of a "tour" given in the President's absence from one of Grandpa's associates from "back when." (Obviously, this would never happen now.) My Ancestry-obsessed Mom found his obit in the LA Times recently; it listed him as an Assistant US Attorney General. My Dad tells of him as warm and loving, but very, very methodical and meticulous. Dad recalls him eating even a sandwich with a fork and knife, and being able to do so while playing with a baby... and getting not one tiny spot on his starched white dress shirt. Every button buttoned, nary a thread out of place.
People like Jack Smith and Merrick Garland strike me as these sorts of men: blessed holdovers from a time of all business and no drama. Idealists when it comes to the importance of the law, staunchly by-the-book when it comes to its application. Not political "stars," but total professionals one and all. Unflinching, but unhurried. Months ago, when people were gettin' grumpy and giving up hope DOJ would ever reach the arm of the law out to grab tfg, I just kept my mouth shut and sat tight. I thought to myself, "Oh, y'all just wait. These guys are a bunch of Grandpa Collmans. They'll get there when they get there, not a day earlier than fully prepared, and not a day later than fully effective." It appears, to my relief and satisfaction, that my choice to retain faith in the processes of our institutions to deliver - when run by true civil servants - is being vindicated. (Yay!)
We have so little patience in this world today, and so much anxiety. It is now time for the judge and jury to mete out the next step of justice to these traitors. Not being on that jury, I will be devoting my democracy-saving energy not to gloating over deserved downfalls, but to positively spreading the gospel of good governance that we are lucky to be seeing demonstrated for us again by the Biden Administration. We don't just need accountability to heal, we also need our aspiration back as a nation.
It *can* feel overwhelming. All we can really be is a drop in the bucket. But 80 million drops makes a flood! (Or at least, like, enough to wash the dirty dishes.)
"I thought to myself, "Oh, y'all just wait. These guys are a bunch of Grandpa Collmans. They'll get there when they get there, not a day earlier than fully prepared, and not a day later than fully effective." It appears, to my relief and satisfaction, that my choice to retain faith in the processes of our institutions to deliver - when run by true civil servants - is being vindicated. (Yay!)"
YES!! Thank you for this superb example. And congrats on having such a wonderful grandfather to honor and emulate.
We always look for your comments here, Wil. Thanks for writing this wonderful post. We don’t have that Grampa Collman experience to help ground us through these Narrows but we kept cupping our hands around the flame, thinking and talking about the legions of dedicated, law-abiding people who must be working around the clock behind the scenes and in the White House to overcome horrific damages and build us back. Their work becomes more and more evident every day. We do “need our aspiration back as a nation.” Let’s make it happen.
I had to fight the anxiety I felt every time I read columns opining that "Merrick Garland isn't doing the job!".
Thank God I was already reading Heather's blog, and then found Joyce Vance's and Teri Kanefield's as well, which has kept me from spinning out of orbit.
I hold Jack Smith up there with the Gregory Peck version of Atticus Finch: intelligent, honest, thorough, honorable, and DECENT.
“…to positively spreading the gospel of good governance “ That is a brilliant way of putting it. May I borrow the phrase for an op-ed piece I have been thinking of writing? Yes, brilliant!
It's a quandary because so much is happening fast these days that is in need of urgent attention and rectification, but yes, we don't want to see sloppy brain surgery, and I so admire public service personnel who take their duties very seriously. Many worthwhile things require constant and sustained attention and management (perseverance furthers) including grass-roots social movements. We are being massively oversold on immature instant gratification.
Oddly I see taking the long, strategic view as "conservative" in a way that contrasts starkly with the way the word is used in politics. I consider the scientific method "conservative" in the former sense, and well integrated with imagination and an adventuring spirit, it is a powerhouse of discovery and beneficial innovation.
I am thinking of my grandfather on my Dad's side this evening. I never got to meet him, but he was deeply beloved by everyone in my Dad's family. He was a colonel in World War II in Africa, a JAG, who gave up promotion to General and a prosecutorial spot in the Nuremburg trials because he preferred to start his own practice and spend more time with his beloved wife and children. It was expected that each year, he would travel to D.C. for business. I hear tell somewhere there is a photo of my Aunt Susie sitting at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, courtesy of a "tour" given in the President's absence from one of Grandpa's associates from "back when." (Obviously, this would never happen now.) My Ancestry-obsessed Mom found his obit in the LA Times recently; it listed him as an Assistant US Attorney General. My Dad tells of him as warm and loving, but very, very methodical and meticulous. Dad recalls him eating even a sandwich with a fork and knife, and being able to do so while playing with a baby... and getting not one tiny spot on his starched white dress shirt. Every button buttoned, nary a thread out of place.
People like Jack Smith and Merrick Garland strike me as these sorts of men: blessed holdovers from a time of all business and no drama. Idealists when it comes to the importance of the law, staunchly by-the-book when it comes to its application. Not political "stars," but total professionals one and all. Unflinching, but unhurried. Months ago, when people were gettin' grumpy and giving up hope DOJ would ever reach the arm of the law out to grab tfg, I just kept my mouth shut and sat tight. I thought to myself, "Oh, y'all just wait. These guys are a bunch of Grandpa Collmans. They'll get there when they get there, not a day earlier than fully prepared, and not a day later than fully effective." It appears, to my relief and satisfaction, that my choice to retain faith in the processes of our institutions to deliver - when run by true civil servants - is being vindicated. (Yay!)
We have so little patience in this world today, and so much anxiety. It is now time for the judge and jury to mete out the next step of justice to these traitors. Not being on that jury, I will be devoting my democracy-saving energy not to gloating over deserved downfalls, but to positively spreading the gospel of good governance that we are lucky to be seeing demonstrated for us again by the Biden Administration. We don't just need accountability to heal, we also need our aspiration back as a nation.
A republic, if we can keep it.
I don't know what you do for a living, Will, but I sincerely hope you have a career in administration somewhere.
I do not currently occupy that line of work, but I will choose to take this as a compliment!
You absolutely should. The level of maturity and grace in your comment says a lot about you and how you treat others.
Beautifully expressed. Thank you for the story about your grandfather, and for your eloquence Yes, “a Republic if we can keep it.”
The IF WE CAN KEEP IT PART is what challenges me and right now we best figure out some ‘ways’ to do that!
It *can* feel overwhelming. All we can really be is a drop in the bucket. But 80 million drops makes a flood! (Or at least, like, enough to wash the dirty dishes.)
Will, from Cal - And the very dirty laundry
Will, from Cal...."....a drop in the bucket.....but 80 million drops makes a flood!"
Hope for washing a lot of dirty dishes!!!''
Hope is a great ideal to hold onto and to act out at the voting booth!!!
"I thought to myself, "Oh, y'all just wait. These guys are a bunch of Grandpa Collmans. They'll get there when they get there, not a day earlier than fully prepared, and not a day later than fully effective." It appears, to my relief and satisfaction, that my choice to retain faith in the processes of our institutions to deliver - when run by true civil servants - is being vindicated. (Yay!)"
YES!! Thank you for this superb example. And congrats on having such a wonderful grandfather to honor and emulate.
Thank-you, Will
We always look for your comments here, Wil. Thanks for writing this wonderful post. We don’t have that Grampa Collman experience to help ground us through these Narrows but we kept cupping our hands around the flame, thinking and talking about the legions of dedicated, law-abiding people who must be working around the clock behind the scenes and in the White House to overcome horrific damages and build us back. Their work becomes more and more evident every day. We do “need our aspiration back as a nation.” Let’s make it happen.
I love this comment!
I had to fight the anxiety I felt every time I read columns opining that "Merrick Garland isn't doing the job!".
Thank God I was already reading Heather's blog, and then found Joyce Vance's and Teri Kanefield's as well, which has kept me from spinning out of orbit.
I hold Jack Smith up there with the Gregory Peck version of Atticus Finch: intelligent, honest, thorough, honorable, and DECENT.
Well said, Will. I shall be positively spreading the gospel of good governance myself. Working hard to keep our Republic as well.
“…to positively spreading the gospel of good governance “ That is a brilliant way of putting it. May I borrow the phrase for an op-ed piece I have been thinking of writing? Yes, brilliant!
Oh, absolutely! Thanks, Debra.
Always look forward to your comments, stories and opinions, Will!
It's a quandary because so much is happening fast these days that is in need of urgent attention and rectification, but yes, we don't want to see sloppy brain surgery, and I so admire public service personnel who take their duties very seriously. Many worthwhile things require constant and sustained attention and management (perseverance furthers) including grass-roots social movements. We are being massively oversold on immature instant gratification.
Oddly I see taking the long, strategic view as "conservative" in a way that contrasts starkly with the way the word is used in politics. I consider the scientific method "conservative" in the former sense, and well integrated with imagination and an adventuring spirit, it is a powerhouse of discovery and beneficial innovation.