Columns CAN be misleading, you're right. But when people read Brooks, they just read the columns. He can be a great guy in person, but it's what he does from 9-5 -- what he writes -- that matters.
So I'll admit that my blog yesterday was more than a little snarky. Although the overall point I was making (that David Brooks and other dispassionate observers of politics are almost allergic to pragmatic ideas from liberals) was a fair one, my disdain for the arrogance of the Washington intelligensia poisoned my argument. That fact was on full display today during lunch...
The first thing I noticed upon entering the New York Times DC office on I street was how nice it was. After visiting the Washington Post's office a few weeks ago, I assumed all newspaper office buildings were decrpit vestiges of a time long past. Anyway, they have nice office space.
Although I feel obliged not to reveal the details of a conversation afforded to me by the Yale-in-Washington program, I was pleasantly surprised (shocked) by the things Mr. Brooks had to say. Although I still wish he had more guts and would more readily buck the conservative establishment through which he made his name, his disdain for unecessary confrontation and intelligent (if, in my opinion, misguided) discussion of Barack Obama's candidacy proved that columns can be misleading. Also, I disagree with his whole notion that our generation is "wholesome," his statistics are sound and persuasive. Still, I content that we're smart enough to know what to tell pollsters who ask about things like premarital sex and drug use and obsessed with maintaining an image (of wholesomeness) while being less than tame in reality. Of course, I actually am a good kid. I swear. ... no, really.
Anyway, David Brooks gained 5000 cool points today and I had to correct my ill-articlated opinion yesterday.
Today's Sartorialist. The man himself. This ad reminds me how happy I am that men look better as they age. yay. Also, check out the launch of Paris' campaign. I'm sure everyone will be talking about it tomorrow.
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