New York Times Paean to Beto O'Rourke Focuses on His Deadbeat Years in NYC

Newsbusters ^ | February 7, 2019 | P.J. Gladnick

[Old Teufel Hunden]

During the times he would have been doing this, I had many Bob O’Rourkes come visit me for 13 educational weeks down on Parris Island South Carolina. In those 13 weeks, we gave them motivation and a direction. They left my wonderful island with a purpose and the title Marine. He should have visited me, no need for all of that wandering in the woods in New York...

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"The wannabe Kerouac."

When I read 'On the Road' at 16, I thought it was the greatest. However, I was over it by 18. Years later, much to my delight I find out that Kerouac was a conservative in the Breton French Catholic tradition. He supported the Vietnam war and hated hippies.

[Army Air Corps]

Ah, but “Beto” and his ilk are not familiar with that. Rather, they see him as a fellow traveler.

[Buckeye McFrog]

But of course.

Deadbeat years on the dole is what most of the young Democrat base aspires to.

[bgill]

Maybe Oprah needs to ask him why his family furniture business is in trouble with it’s taxes and money laundering.

[nicollo]

Awesome post.

[TADSLOS]

Same game, different name.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Thanks, I often say that I learned everything I ever needed to know in the Marine Corps. I’ve been to college and the University of USMC is by far better.

True story, my own drill instructor during boot camp was a lot like Gunny Hartman from Full Metal Jacket. I swear I had flashbacks watching that movie. I can still hear him saying we have no communists or atheists in this platoon. When I was a drill instructor we weren’t quite that violent but I have to admit we skirted the line a time or two.

[nicollo]

Fantastic stories you must have. I went a different route, but do have some stories, myself, lol.

Btw, I might actually pick up Kerouac after your post on him. I just assumed the opposite.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

I’ve been known to tell a tale or two. It’s too bad we only meet in cybespace, love being at the local watering hole (usually the VFW) and swapping stories!

On Kerouac, there was an interesting book I picked up years ago and is in fact still in my personal library called ‘Why Kerouac Matters’ by John Leland. In it he talks about how ‘On the Road’ is really about Sal (Kerouac’s alter ego) and not Dean Moriarty. All readers usually focus on Dean because of his Jazz spontaneity personality. It talks about how they were both searching for Dean Sr. and in reality they were looking for their own father figures and it talks about how it’s about growing up. Was an interesting read on ‘On the Road’.

[nicollo]

I definitely need to expand my reading. As an historian, the closest I come to ‘On the Road’ is ‘Democracy in America’ — which, btw, is an excellent road trip document, come to think of it!

Pouring one in your honor tonight.