I just had the most amazing conversation

[TomInTib]

While walking my dog downtown, we ran into an old friend.
And I am talking old in every way except for her mind.
Old Lady
Old Money
Old World
Old GOP forever
Old local family who have resided on Belvedere/Corinthian Island for over 100 years
Old family heavily vested in US Intelligence, Banking, and State Dept

This woman is far more conservative than I am liberal.
I don't think any of her family has needed to work for generations.
She was career State Department, mostly International Financial Affairs during the Cold War.
Ambassador Liaison in Sweden for years.

Ruthless.
When she asked me to help her with finding appropriate organization(s) in Pakistan so she could provide financial assistance after the earthquake, I was more than happy to oblige.
But when I asked her to help the victims of Katrina, she coldly refused.
When I asked why she she would help Pakistanis and not Americans, she replied that the Paks were our allies and the residents of New Orleans deserved whatever happened.

We don't even talk politics, but remain friends due to a mutual sense of respect of strength of character. She is one of the smartest people I have ever known and flat knows how things work at the International level. She is a source of insight and advice that I often utilize in my posts here on DU.

She eats lunch at New Morning Cafe at the same table/same time every day
So I was highly surprised to see her sitting at a sidewalk table in the sun with her lunch.
We stopped and exchanged pleasantries and I asked her why she was eating outside.
She said she felt that she had to get outside because she just felt terrible.
I asked her what she meant by feeling "terrible".
And off she went.

"They have ruined us on the world stage
Freefall
Total lack of diplomacy
No understanding of necessary nuance
I don't believe the Nation will ever recover
Sitting back and letting this go on in Lebanon will prove to be a bigger mistake than Iraq (gasp!!)
The worst Administration in History
Their inaction on the International Stage is a disaster
I don't even know what to do, they won't listen to anyone (more gasp!!! If she has no voice...)
They won't listen to Feinstein or Boxer and they are both Jews"

and on and on...

I have never been so surprised by a conversation in my life.

If they have lost Tina, they have lost it all.

They have nothing left except for the fundies and crazies.

[villager]

1. these old GOP networkers are gonna hafta get busy behind

the scenes, if they want to bring down Bushco...

[NVMojo]

3. I'm sure they will if they haven't already started. Some carry real shame

regarding this derelict administration and its policies.

[MissWaverly]

2. Only fools listen to no one

You ever notice there is never any experts around, it's the same set of advisers all the time,
no experts on the middle east, and they don't give opinions, they recite talking points.

[cornermouse]

4. It took her this long to figure it out?

:shrug: Where has she been?

[TomInTib]

5. She was operating on blind faith

She told me that her experience in world affairs just would not allow her to believe that affairs could have gone so solidly wrong.

My friend has been around long enough to remember when "checks and balances" were not just theory.

[Tsiyu]

6. Another Tom in Tib bejillionaire sighting? woo damn hoo

:eyes:

Hey Tom,


If you see the old Fuckbag tomorrow in the 'New Morning Cafe' tell her she's a heartless old hag who SHOULD be crying for what she said about the people of New Orleans.

I hope her palatial estate floods and she is left on the roof, just as they were. Honestly, I hope the same fate befalls her ignorant, cruel, greedy ass.

I have no sympathy for ancient farts without any common human decency. Maybe you can remain friends with her; I'd have spit in her face after what she said.

She deserves all the pain she feels and who the hell gives a DAMN what the gasbag thinks now?

[elehhhhna]

7. too much identifying info on the lady, imo.

[TomInTib]

8. She doesn't care

She is in her 90s and would relish the fight.

They couldn't touch her and even if they could, they would not dare.

I actually thought about posting more info on her just for the credibility aspect, but decided against it.

Thanks for your concern, though, elehhhhna.