My grandmother used to tell me, when I was a (perhaps obstreperous) child, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." Which no doubt related to something I was trying to do that was not going to work. I wasn't quite sure how it applied.
This is the writing of which I am so proud as a former Iowan. You are a treasure to the state and all of us. Thank you for sharing this poignant piece. It is REAL life as we are experiencing it today. We must let it flow through us, and allow the horror to sink in, then roll up our sleeves and get to work, loving, supporting our immigrant neighbors.
See you’re a better person than me. I would have told the young white woman to go f🎊k herself… That kind of blatant racism, while as American as apple pie, should be called out. But I know people have guns too, and guns and alcohol don’t mix well…
Be careful careful out there, fellow non-hateful Americans. 💔
This is maddening. Someone should have asked her if she ate fruits and vegetables, if she liked smooth, tended roads and highways, if she likes clean rooms in hotels, or if she thought she could do the work that so many immigrants do for far less pay than her white counterparts. (I'm not saying white folks don't work hard!) Uneducated, drunk, obviously "doesn't do the research". Shame on her and the millions of others who support this awful admin's deportation plan.
I was motivated to write by reading your essay combined with Trump targeting members of marginalized or minority communities, combined with a Target worker yesterday who talked about how rude Americans, especially young people are. (I have this habit of asking retail workers how they are doing and how customers are treating them--only when no one is is line behind me)
I do not know how to deal with drunks. But I wanted to share some thoughts about entitlement and how too many Americans complain about others being entitled, while they act entitled--as in my Target story).
I see mixed signs of entitlement today: service workers report ruder customers, social media fuels unrealistic lifestyle expectations, and younger generations demand better wages/housing affordability while older folks call this entitled. And Trump is too good at cultivating this, blaming others, while D's and allied groups do not know how to respond to any entitlement statements.
Social media, rising inequality and instant gratification culture from delivery apps and online services contribute to shifting expectations. That is an explanation, not a remedy.
And if I can end by getting on 'my high horse". And D's and progressive groups have neither responded nor effectively responded to Trump on his entitlement arguments. Thus, we will continue to interact with more drunk women.
Bob, I was referencing your essay. https://rleonard.substack.com/p/a-drunk-white-woman. Is this what you were asking about? And have you followed how national groups are using the Zimmer race victory as if 'we' have discovered or re-discovered the holy grail for reversing redness?
As I grew up, there was usually one or two idiots who would come to the local bar and get obnoxious on occasion, but women usually were the exception, they maintained themselves much better than the men did, and seldom ever got sloppy drunk! Could it be that now with the Equal Rights Amendment, they feel obligated to even copy men in being idiots in places often reserved for men to be idiots at? The deterioration of the friendly tavern atmosphere into gradations of stupidity and drunkenness' keeps me out of such places especially as the light heads south of the horizon! As for "Mexican's" or any other ethnic group, bringing a little culture into bars and taverns might be a good thing in a place so devoid of appreciation for or ability to understand that language really isn't a dividing point in this country. If it is, then it divides those who raise hell about it as idiots, and should be avoided at all costs!
Should have bought her a beer! A Dos Equis, either poured it into a glass so she could not tell it was Mexican beer, or give it directly to her. Maybe buy her a plate of nachos & salsa too if the bar had them. It appears you didn't otherwise engage with her, which may have been a wise choice. Sad to see confirmation of what I see and hear.
a better idea would have been to buy shots of tequilla for everybody. And with each round of shots, confuse the heck out of her by changing the celebration toast with "Cheers, Prost, Salute, Skal, Proost (important if she is Dutch), Noroc, Budmo (Ukranian), Za zdavovye (important is she's a Putin friend), and of course Salud if she wants to speak Mexican. There's more, but your pockets aren't that deep even if people took turns buying those rounds. If you get through the list, then please call a designated driver for everybody.
You lost me at "white woman."
Try reading deeper.
My grandmother used to tell me, when I was a (perhaps obstreperous) child, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." Which no doubt related to something I was trying to do that was not going to work. I wasn't quite sure how it applied.
But you just did it.
What on earth have Iowa and America come to? Excellent piece, Bob. Thank you.
Love this, Bob.
This is the writing of which I am so proud as a former Iowan. You are a treasure to the state and all of us. Thank you for sharing this poignant piece. It is REAL life as we are experiencing it today. We must let it flow through us, and allow the horror to sink in, then roll up our sleeves and get to work, loving, supporting our immigrant neighbors.
Thank you! Great advice...
Sad and I wish I could say surprising, but it's not.
This piece is a gut punch. And yet so beautiful.
Thank you, Phoebe.
Your writing is a gift.
See you’re a better person than me. I would have told the young white woman to go f🎊k herself… That kind of blatant racism, while as American as apple pie, should be called out. But I know people have guns too, and guns and alcohol don’t mix well…
Be careful careful out there, fellow non-hateful Americans. 💔
This is maddening. Someone should have asked her if she ate fruits and vegetables, if she liked smooth, tended roads and highways, if she likes clean rooms in hotels, or if she thought she could do the work that so many immigrants do for far less pay than her white counterparts. (I'm not saying white folks don't work hard!) Uneducated, drunk, obviously "doesn't do the research". Shame on her and the millions of others who support this awful admin's deportation plan.
I was motivated to write by reading your essay combined with Trump targeting members of marginalized or minority communities, combined with a Target worker yesterday who talked about how rude Americans, especially young people are. (I have this habit of asking retail workers how they are doing and how customers are treating them--only when no one is is line behind me)
I do not know how to deal with drunks. But I wanted to share some thoughts about entitlement and how too many Americans complain about others being entitled, while they act entitled--as in my Target story).
I see mixed signs of entitlement today: service workers report ruder customers, social media fuels unrealistic lifestyle expectations, and younger generations demand better wages/housing affordability while older folks call this entitled. And Trump is too good at cultivating this, blaming others, while D's and allied groups do not know how to respond to any entitlement statements.
Social media, rising inequality and instant gratification culture from delivery apps and online services contribute to shifting expectations. That is an explanation, not a remedy.
And if I can end by getting on 'my high horse". And D's and progressive groups have neither responded nor effectively responded to Trump on his entitlement arguments. Thus, we will continue to interact with more drunk women.
Ralph, would you share the link to your target story? I can't find it.
Bob, I was referencing your essay. https://rleonard.substack.com/p/a-drunk-white-woman. Is this what you were asking about? And have you followed how national groups are using the Zimmer race victory as if 'we' have discovered or re-discovered the holy grail for reversing redness?
It wasn’t because she was drunk, but poisoned on the MAGA bile
As I grew up, there was usually one or two idiots who would come to the local bar and get obnoxious on occasion, but women usually were the exception, they maintained themselves much better than the men did, and seldom ever got sloppy drunk! Could it be that now with the Equal Rights Amendment, they feel obligated to even copy men in being idiots in places often reserved for men to be idiots at? The deterioration of the friendly tavern atmosphere into gradations of stupidity and drunkenness' keeps me out of such places especially as the light heads south of the horizon! As for "Mexican's" or any other ethnic group, bringing a little culture into bars and taverns might be a good thing in a place so devoid of appreciation for or ability to understand that language really isn't a dividing point in this country. If it is, then it divides those who raise hell about it as idiots, and should be avoided at all costs!
Thanks, Bob. Your stories do all Iowans a great service.
I assume those singers of Mexican descent are bilingual. It seems that woman in the bar has barely mastered her own language.
The sad reality is that this woman is a symptom of a much larger pathogen ripping through America right now.
P.S. Love the Dos Equis idea suggested upthread!
Should have bought her a beer! A Dos Equis, either poured it into a glass so she could not tell it was Mexican beer, or give it directly to her. Maybe buy her a plate of nachos & salsa too if the bar had them. It appears you didn't otherwise engage with her, which may have been a wise choice. Sad to see confirmation of what I see and hear.
Great idea!
a better idea would have been to buy shots of tequilla for everybody. And with each round of shots, confuse the heck out of her by changing the celebration toast with "Cheers, Prost, Salute, Skal, Proost (important if she is Dutch), Noroc, Budmo (Ukranian), Za zdavovye (important is she's a Putin friend), and of course Salud if she wants to speak Mexican. There's more, but your pockets aren't that deep even if people took turns buying those rounds. If you get through the list, then please call a designated driver for everybody.