All Great Things Must Come to an End or Shame the Devil and Never Look Back

Public culture in the US over the last 50 odd years has lost some of its verve, some of its acuity some of its sharpness. It is truly rare that one encounters a public official that can truly speak and by speak I mean show a coordinated facility between the production of thought and the command of language. We are a society that is underwhelming in its ability to think on its feet, speak with clarity or manifest verbal style. Organically our leaders reflect this. I doubt if there will ever be a book published detailing the Wit and Wisdom of George W. Bush. In light of this I am saddened by the recent announcement of the retirement from Congress of the Hon. Barney Frank (D-MA). There will be discussions of his legacy after 31 years of service to the nation but I will miss his impish approach to articulating his ideas. Frank is gifted at breaking the gentile china bowl of politician-constituent relations and saying what a thousand public officials wish in their heart of hearts they could say.

Ordinarily this would come off as a condescending dickishness to a misguided voter but Frank's willingness to open up a can of verbal whip ass regardless of rank or position is quite admirable.

Note that Rep. Ryan attempts to speak as if the Republicans have never had power in the past 20 years. Frank's having none of that. Shaming the devil is a rare skill. Frank's brazenness was coupled with an exquisite policy mind and his command of details and procedures was often put to bruising effect.

Note to legislators: If you are going to serve in a legislative body, you might want to know the rules or at least avoid displaying that ignorance in front of Barney Frank. Frank is the rare pol that is more than happy to, certainly gleefully willing to, point out the hypocrisies of his opponents. For Barney Frank, the first member of Congress to volunteer that he was gay (1987), the closeted lives of Republican pols and supporters was an unbeatable high value target.

Whether it was his willingness to go toe to toe with the morons that infest the halls of congress . . .

or engage high mockery to contend with right wing bullshit . . .

Barney Frank was always a voice of uproarious reason. There are few brave people in government willing to tell the truth and able to make you laugh. Thank you Barney Frank.