Over all, the hardworking staff likes what newly arrived columnist Joe Nocera has brought to the New York Times op-ed page: a populist view of economic justice leavened with a pragmatic view of economic reality.
So we were surprised last week when Nocera went all Joe Biden and wrote this:
Tea Party’s War on America
You know what they say: Never negotiate with terrorists. It only encourages them.
These last few months, much of the country has watched in horror as the Tea Party Republicans have waged jihad on the American people. Their intransigent demands for deep spending cuts, coupled with their almost gleeful willingness to destroy one of America’s most invaluable assets, its full faith and credit, were incredibly irresponsible. But they didn’t care. Their goal, they believed, was worth blowing up the country for, if that’s what it took.
In his latest column, though, Nocera came to his senses:
The words I chose were intemperate and offensive to many, and I’ve been roundly criticized. I was a hypocrite, the critics said, for using such language when on other occasions I’ve called for a more civil politics. In the cool light of day, I agree with them. I apologize.
Good for him.
One down, umpteen to go.
P.S. Biden’s moonwalking doesn’t count.
“I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting. Most of us didn’t think that. What we did learn is this — it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming.” – Mitch McConnell
I still say if you don’t want to be compared to terrorists, don’t brag about taking hostages. Are we going to hear an “apology” from McConnell? Heck, no.
If all the kids jump off the Empire State Building . . .
I’d expect them to apologize. Yet… ?
Obviously they lack the character traits Joe Nocera possesses.