I’m surprisingly sad about Bob Dole’s passing. I never voted for him, but he was decent, honest, patriotic, and working for the best interest of the country. There are fewer and fewer national Republicans who are like that. He endured great suffering for our nation, and triumphed over it. Thanks for a life exceptionally well lived.
Bob Dole got my first vote for President. He was a true gentleman and statesman and the world is a little darker without his light. But he would want us to move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom! (Hat tip The Simpsons)
Statement win for the Bulls Saturday night. There’s some consistency issues for this team, and that might become more of a problem in the spring, but I think they can hang with almost anyone.
I guess I’m a little emotional this morning. What a wonderful family story. Makes me think that my Dad never really talked about his time in the war either.
I loved that story about Sen. Dole and Wordslinger’s dad. Two decent men who didn’t let their politics get in the way of appreciating and understanding each other. I wish that hadn’t gotten so rare.
No Illinois team in the College Football Playoffs (shocker), but you have to feel some underdog love for Cincinnati from the Group of 5 taking on the big boys in the Power 5. Plus, their star receiver, Alex Pierce, is a Glenbard West product. Go Bearcats.
Isn’t it sad to realize that the “disagreements” we took so seriously a couple decades ago, were in fact the heart and soul of politics. People tried to work together. Our nation always seemed to find a way to progress through the difficult times. Sometimes slowly, sometimes faster, but always moving forward, through collegiality and a shared vision of the centrality of our national interests. I didn’t agree with Dole then. Now, I miss him and his GOP colleagues (save one or two).
Bob Dole endorsed Trump in spring of 2016 and never walked it back. He besmirched his legacy by normalizing the autocratic urges previously at the edge of the Republican coalition.
Imagine the gall of a Republican Senate majority and minority leader, who served 27 years there as well as 8 in the House, supporting the Republican nominee for President
This morning I was reminded of his speech when receiving the Medal of Honor from Pres. Clinton. I had the pleasure of meeting Sen. Dole on several occasions and his quit wit was genuine. If you need a bit of cheerfulness and statesmanship this morning, check out his speech at the link below. The best part is at the 5:32 mark.
Thanks to Elizabeth Austin and John Patterson for passing on that to the Doles. A true American hero, and also a gracious man, Bob Dole and that story is what’s missing in America today. What a letter. The context of Dole’s own passing makes it even more special.
Wordslinger. Unmatched.
As only Wordslinger could, he highlighted a Bob Dole well outside what was known but what what we all already knew, that Bob Dole was all we had hoped an American hero would be, forget the politics for a moment.
RIP to Sen. Dole. He and others of his generation who fought and sacrificed in WW II were the true patriots. Dole would have described himself humbly, but in the third person.
- Because I said so.... - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:56 am:
I remember reading that post the first time and I think I appreciated it even more today. While heartwarming, it makes me sad that politics and human interaction has become so divisive and acts of kindness rare.
Unfortunately they don’t make politicians like this anymore (in either party). Rest in Peace Senator Dole.
I can’t think about Bob Dole without thinking about Richard Ben Cramer’s book “What it takes.” I read it in graduate school, but that book should be a must read for every Poli Sci 101 course.
I can understand why people are angry with Dole supporting Trump, because had Trump not been president, we would not be stuck with Joe Biden now. Again, I urge you to go read “What it Takes” and you can remember Joe Biden when he was actually competent.
when i heard Bob Dole had passed, one of my first thoughts was a recollection of Wordslinger’s story about his father and Bob Dole. Thank you so much Rich for re-posting.
I always thought if Bob had done the visa and pepsi commercials before the election and had shown more of that type of self-deprecating humor he would have won the 96 election.
RIP Bob Dole. a truly great man from the greatest generation.
Bob Dole had his achievements, which were many, and I supported his presidential bid. People tend to forget his wife’s achievements and that she was also part of the team.
As my wife reminded me last night, I always thought the GOP missed an opportunity when Bob Dole was nominated; Elizabeth Dole might have been the better choice … but we’ll never know.
Likely watched the last Bear game of the season. That was extremely awful, terrible, and ridiculous. I can no longer care about a team, coaches, and owners who simply refuse to admit any liability for this ongoing fiasco. The players are all who we thought they were, and it shows every game.
Good catch. Thanks. NIU had a great season, and well deserved MAC champion. I’ll also add that SIU had a good season and made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs. And one last Illinois football school note: the College of DuPage won the national championship game for their division (NJCAA).
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 7:28 pm:
Saw FB posts over the weekend from disgruntled SJ-R subscribers on the 217 Problems group. Apparently they had received letters from the paper saying that there will be one “Christmas” edition of the paper covering Dec. 23-25 in a single edition–but still be charged for 3 days. Same thing will happen for New Year’s (one Dec. 30-Jan. 1 edition but 3 day’s charges).
I am getting more convinced by the day that sometime in 2022 the SJ-R will annoucne that they will drop one day from the paper (both print and online). Probably most likely Saturday and Sunday merged, or Sunday-Monday, if that happened.
- Shibboleth - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 8:45 am:
Finals are beginning for many Illinois College students. Keep them in mind these next few weeks.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 8:47 am:
It’s cold and gloomy.
Also, I’ve given up on baseball, but Minnie! And Buck O’Neil!
- Keyrock - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 8:52 am:
I’m surprisingly sad about Bob Dole’s passing. I never voted for him, but he was decent, honest, patriotic, and working for the best interest of the country. There are fewer and fewer national Republicans who are like that. He endured great suffering for our nation, and triumphed over it. Thanks for a life exceptionally well lived.
- Morningstar - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 8:53 am:
I loved that story. Thanks for reminding us of this class-act man.
- Amalia - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:02 am:
and memories of Wordslinger, always wonderful.
- Moved East - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:10 am:
Bob Dole got my first vote for President. He was a true gentleman and statesman and the world is a little darker without his light. But he would want us to move forward, not backward; upward, not forward; and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom! (Hat tip The Simpsons)
- Arsenal - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:17 am:
Statement win for the Bulls Saturday night. There’s some consistency issues for this team, and that might become more of a problem in the spring, but I think they can hang with almost anyone.
- McGuppin - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:33 am:
RIP, Senator Bob Dole. This was a great American.
- OneMan - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:35 am:
I thought about that story when I saw the news, little dusty at my desk this morning. Thanks Rich
- Club J - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:36 am:
I guess I’m a little emotional this morning. What a wonderful family story. Makes me think that my Dad never really talked about his time in the war either.
- West Sider - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:38 am:
I never politically supported Senator Dole- but I admired his personal courage, which made his willingness to back Trump all the sadder.
- JoanP - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:41 am:
I loved that story about Sen. Dole and Wordslinger’s dad. Two decent men who didn’t let their politics get in the way of appreciating and understanding each other. I wish that hadn’t gotten so rare.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:48 am:
No Illinois team in the College Football Playoffs (shocker), but you have to feel some underdog love for Cincinnati from the Group of 5 taking on the big boys in the Power 5. Plus, their star receiver, Alex Pierce, is a Glenbard West product. Go Bearcats.
- H-W - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:51 am:
Isn’t it sad to realize that the “disagreements” we took so seriously a couple decades ago, were in fact the heart and soul of politics. People tried to work together. Our nation always seemed to find a way to progress through the difficult times. Sometimes slowly, sometimes faster, but always moving forward, through collegiality and a shared vision of the centrality of our national interests. I didn’t agree with Dole then. Now, I miss him and his GOP colleagues (save one or two).
- Chicago Blue - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:05 am:
Bob Dole endorsed Trump in spring of 2016 and never walked it back. He besmirched his legacy by normalizing the autocratic urges previously at the edge of the Republican coalition.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:12 am:
Imagine the gall of a Republican Senate majority and minority leader, who served 27 years there as well as 8 in the House, supporting the Republican nominee for President
- Observation - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:18 am:
This morning I was reminded of his speech when receiving the Medal of Honor from Pres. Clinton. I had the pleasure of meeting Sen. Dole on several occasions and his quit wit was genuine. If you need a bit of cheerfulness and statesmanship this morning, check out his speech at the link below. The best part is at the 5:32 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6obRPpPWg8
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:22 am:
Thanks to Elizabeth Austin and John Patterson for passing on that to the Doles. A true American hero, and also a gracious man, Bob Dole and that story is what’s missing in America today. What a letter. The context of Dole’s own passing makes it even more special.
Wordslinger. Unmatched.
As only Wordslinger could, he highlighted a Bob Dole well outside what was known but what what we all already knew, that Bob Dole was all we had hoped an American hero would be, forget the politics for a moment.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:27 am:
===…supporting the Republican nominee…===
He was supporting Trump. It’s not just any nominee.
Bob Dole is a war hero, a man who gave unselfishly to his country, from the times of Nixon, ran with Ford, sought the Oval Office himself three times.
Those things… they made Dole great and an American patriot in every sense.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:49 am:
RIP to Sen. Dole. He and others of his generation who fought and sacrificed in WW II were the true patriots. Dole would have described himself humbly, but in the third person.
- Because I said so.... - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:56 am:
I remember reading that post the first time and I think I appreciated it even more today. While heartwarming, it makes me sad that politics and human interaction has become so divisive and acts of kindness rare.
Here’s to the return of civility.
- Jaded - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 10:56 am:
Unfortunately they don’t make politicians like this anymore (in either party). Rest in Peace Senator Dole.
I can’t think about Bob Dole without thinking about Richard Ben Cramer’s book “What it takes.” I read it in graduate school, but that book should be a must read for every Poli Sci 101 course.
I can understand why people are angry with Dole supporting Trump, because had Trump not been president, we would not be stuck with Joe Biden now. Again, I urge you to go read “What it Takes” and you can remember Joe Biden when he was actually competent.
- Levois J - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 11:01 am:
Bob Dole was a great public servant and an American hero. May he rest in peace.
I hope there are a few others like him out there currently in public service!
- obiter dictum - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 11:02 am:
when i heard Bob Dole had passed, one of my first thoughts was a recollection of Wordslinger’s story about his father and Bob Dole. Thank you so much Rich for re-posting.
I always thought if Bob had done the visa and pepsi commercials before the election and had shown more of that type of self-deprecating humor he would have won the 96 election.
RIP Bob Dole. a truly great man from the greatest generation.
- OneMan - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 11:21 am:
== No Illinois team in the College Football Playoffs (shocker), ==
But you have a team that one its conference championship, again.
NIU
The change over going 0-6 last year and still having one of the youngest teams in the BCS.
- RNUG - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 12:59 pm:
Bob Dole had his achievements, which were many, and I supported his presidential bid. People tend to forget his wife’s achievements and that she was also part of the team.
As my wife reminded me last night, I always thought the GOP missed an opportunity when Bob Dole was nominated; Elizabeth Dole might have been the better choice … but we’ll never know.
- thisjustinagain - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 1:01 pm:
Likely watched the last Bear game of the season. That was extremely awful, terrible, and ridiculous. I can no longer care about a team, coaches, and owners who simply refuse to admit any liability for this ongoing fiasco. The players are all who we thought they were, and it shows every game.
- Monadnock Pigeon - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 1:09 pm:
Thanks for reposting this, it still makes me choke up when I read it.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 2:12 pm:
@OneMan:
Good catch. Thanks. NIU had a great season, and well deserved MAC champion. I’ll also add that SIU had a good season and made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs. And one last Illinois football school note: the College of DuPage won the national championship game for their division (NJCAA).
- Ditka's Hair - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 2:38 pm:
Did they ever identify Mr. Shut Up?
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 7:28 pm:
Saw FB posts over the weekend from disgruntled SJ-R subscribers on the 217 Problems group. Apparently they had received letters from the paper saying that there will be one “Christmas” edition of the paper covering Dec. 23-25 in a single edition–but still be charged for 3 days. Same thing will happen for New Year’s (one Dec. 30-Jan. 1 edition but 3 day’s charges).
I am getting more convinced by the day that sometime in 2022 the SJ-R will annoucne that they will drop one day from the paper (both print and online). Probably most likely Saturday and Sunday merged, or Sunday-Monday, if that happened.
- thoughts matter - Monday, Dec 6, 21 @ 9:24 pm:
RIP Bob Dole. We’ve lost several statesmen in the last few years. Sure don’t seem to be picking people equal to them to replace them