Conversation

Thinking about how at the right moment in history, somebody like Joe Manchin gets to basically shape the history of the planet based on what appear to be entirely petty considerations Theories of history underestimate how events frequently cast small minds into big moments
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I can kinda respect people like McConnell to some extent. Even if I disagree entirely with their agenda, their agenda is at least matched to the gravity of the occasion. Mitch-maneuvering suits the goal of controlling the courts.
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A million dollars a year from coal companies he founded or whatever is not trivial obviously at a personal level, but hardly reason to hold trillions hostage. He's 74, his political career is behind him, his WV legacy is secure...
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From what little I've seen, there's no principled stand on limited government or philosophy of climate skepticism or any sort of larger principle at work here... afaict it's naked self-interest, plus petty animosity with Bernie or whatever
Replying to
Naked self interest is always enough, but can I just throw in that the climate future is very scary and the contemplation of ones' own culpability unpleasant, so denying ALL of that WHILST serving one's self-interest is psychologically thrifty
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