Comments on: Krugman’s Boomer Cri de Coeur

By: Mary Rose

Mary Rose — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:59:45 +0000

Oh, thank you, thank you, Jeff (regular working lawyer). My reaction exactly (mine would have been less eloquent, and I wouldn’t have been able to imagine squeezing Krugman’s shoulders really hard). I read that line and thought, “Hmmm, credit? For? Let’s see….Civil Rights Act (not passed by Boomers). Voting Rights Act (not passed by Boomers). Going crazy in places like Boston, MA and California over forced busing? (A lot of young Boomers). Cheney and Bush? (Boomers).” I just feel like this is a generation that wants only credit for what they did that was positive and no attention on foibles. It was a huge cohort – the law of large numbers says that there will be a lot of brave, noble people in it and, yes, a lot of idiots.

By: lbsmom

lbsmom — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:54:56 +0000

I’ve done so much for you; don’t you appreciate that? Love with strings/conditions attached. Teach your kids to say what pleases you so they get what they want, but beware whenever you need something from them. That’s how Lear parented—-without meaning, just words, a negative image of male authority. He tried to control his daughters, so Regan & Goneril became monsters, and Cordelia, who refused to pander, dies in prison. Some lines this article brings to mind:

The Fool says to Lear, “Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.” (1.5.44-45)

Lear says to Knet, “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” (2.2.58-59)

A word from a 65 year old: Take this earth & its citizens to a higher plane. My generation tried, failed, tried, failed & hopefully, made some progress. It’s yours now–live, laugh, love, & lavish care on all.

By: jeffaregularworkinglawyer

jeffaregularworkinglawyer — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:35:36 +0000

“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (Act I, Scene IV).

But Obama and I are too old to be their children. We’re more like thankless younger siblings. And if there was ever a generation that was thankless of its parents, its those guys.

Here’s more Lear, or Bill Clinton (the NYT says he’s got an enemies list):

You see me here, you gods, a poor old man,
As full of grief as age, wretched in both.
If it be you that stir these daughters’ hearts
Against their father, fool me not so much
To bear it tamely; touch me with noble anger,
And let not women’s weapons, water drops,
Stain my man’s cheeks! No, you unnatural hags!
I will have such revenges on you both
That all the world shall—I will do such things—
What they are, yet I know not; but they shall be
The terrors of the earth. You think I’ll weep
No, I’ll not weep. [Storm and tempest]
I have full cause of weeping, but this heart
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws,
Or ere I’ll weep. O Fool, I shall go mad!

By: laurabethnielsen

laurabethnielsen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:22:57 +0000

Mom? I need help here and you are the Shakespearer expert. Explain.

By: chunque

chunque — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:19:45 +0000

KING: “I gave you all.”

REGAN: “And in good time you gave it.”

King Lear, Act II, scene iii ll. 257-8.

REGAN: “I pray you father, being weak, seem so.” (II, iii, 205).

I leave it to you to sort out the analogy.

By: laurabethnielsen

laurabethnielsen — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:52:44 +0000

There is a beach in Utah?

The article was annoying and the whole tone of racism has now ended is getting on my nerves. Wake up people. Not the people here of course, but sheesh.