Uneasy Rhetoric

I dislike it when famous people with zero credibility try to co-opt important issues of the day for no purpose other than their personal aggrandizement (as opposed to non-famous people with zero credibility - like bloggers). I’m speak of course about Lyndon Larouche, perennial candidate and tin-foil hat conspiracist.

As I was enjoying a warm lunchtime stroll around the Capitol today, I was accosted by a young man with urgency in his voice. The Republicans want to create an absolute rule in the Senate, he was saying, that’s why they are trying to ditch the filibuster.

I’ve spoken before about my mild dislike of the filibuster, but who am I to deny that my political opposition is trying to consolidate its power? Then I looked down at the paper he handed me and there in bold print was the name “Lyndon Larouche.” I suddenly felt very sorry for the kid. Another potential political activist taken over to the dark side, thanks no doubt to a surplus of enthusiasm.

Instead of confronting him with the exact words I wrote at the beginning, I simply nodded, folded the paper he handed me, and walked away with him still talking to my back. I could agree with what he was saying, or at least sympathize with it, but the source of his message is hopelessly polluted.