Politics & Current Events
Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill (1912-1994) is most closely associated with the truism “all politics is local.” One meaning of the observation is that politics must have a base of pragmatic neighborhood reality. It is not all theory; it is not all anticipation of demographics; it is not an imposition from above but an attention to grassroots. For years I resisted breaking out my political books to a page of their own because the topic seemed so ephemeral, so transitory. Well, what is the web but superb access to the ephemeral? I will try NOT to include too much history here or to stack the deck, so to speak, with partisan books. On the other hand, what is available is what is available — the only criteria is good writing, good sourcing, and some accordance with what my customers may be interested in. In that way, I am keeping it local, as per Speaker O’Neill. It will grow with time and a broadening definition of what is politics and what is a current event.
How to Test Negative for Stupid and Why Washington Never Will
How to Test Negative for Stupid and Why Washington Never Will
One of the most distinctive and funny politicians, Senator John Kennedy (the one from Louisiana)—hailed by Politico as “America’s most quotable Senator”—offers his perceptive (and hilarious) takes on the ridiculousness of political life in this scathingly witty takedown of Washington and its elite denizens.
How to Test Negative for Stupid offers the Senator’s tongue-in-cheek guidebook through Washington, punctuated by his thoughts on various issues and humorous stories about life from Louisiana politics and inside the Senate.
From the mind—and mouth—of "America's Most Quotable Senator":
“Always be yourself . . . unless you suck.”
“I say this gently: This is why the aliens won’t talk to us.”
“If you trust government, you obviously failed history class.”
“I believe that our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots.”
“Always follow your heart . . . but take your brain with you.”
“I’m not going to Bubble Wrap it: The water in Washington, D.C., won’t clear up until you get the pigs out of the creek.”
“I have the right to remain silent but not the ability.”
“Common sense is illegal in Washington, D.C., I know. I’ve seen it firsthand.”
“I believe that we are going to have to get some new conspiracy theories. All the old ones turned out to be true.”