Bob Herbert's Last Column

[TomClash]

So here we are pouring shiploads of cash into yet another war, this time in Libya, while simultaneously demolishing school budgets, closing libraries, laying off teachers and police officers, and generally letting the bottom fall out of the quality of life here at home.

Welcome to America in the second decade of the 21st century. An army of long-term unemployed workers is spread across the land, the human fallout from the Great Recession and long years of misguided economic policies. Optimism is in short supply. The few jobs now being created too often pay a pittance, not nearly enough to pry open the doors to a middle-class standard of living.

Arthur Miller, echoing the poet Archibald MacLeish, liked to say that the essence of America was its promises. That was a long time ago. Limitless greed, unrestrained corporate power and a ferocious addiction to foreign oil have led us to an era of perpetual war and economic decline. Young people today are staring at a future in which they will be less well off than their elders, a reversal of fortune that should send a shudder through everyone.

The U.S. has not just misplaced its priorities. When the most powerful country ever to inhabit the earth finds it so easy to plunge into the horror of warfare but almost impossible to find adequate work for its people or to properly educate its young, it has lost its way entirely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/opinion/26herbert.html?hp

[Jim__]

1. "I’m off to write a book and expand my efforts on behalf of working people, the poor and ...

... others who are struggling in our society."

No room for anyone like that at the NY Times.

[somone]

2. Recommended

[Botany]

3. Thank you Bob!

Arthur Miller, echoing the poet Archibald MacLeish, liked to say that the essence of America was its promises. That was a long time ago.
Limitless greed, unrestrained corporate power and a ferocious addiction to foreign oil have led us to an era of perpetual war and economic
decline. Young people today are staring at a future in which they will be less well off than their elders, a reversal of fortune that should
send a shudder through everyone.

[wilt the stilt]

4. I have alwys enjoyed Bob Herbert

and I will miss him. I once wrote to Bob about my encounter with hannity and he was quite interested in it.

[MBS]

5. his columns have been for me an oasis of sanity

He has been for me one of only 2, possibly 3, commentators, whom I could trust to get it right, time after time. I will miss his twice-a-week infusions of clear thinking, and conscience -- distressingly rare (and also urgently needed) qualities in journalism, politics, and, it seems, most everywhere else these days. : (

[pmorlan1]

6. Thank you

Thanks for posting Herbert's last column. He will be missed.

[KoKo]

7. Very sad. People speaking "Truth to Power" are losing their forums in MS Media..

This is not good. Not what we Democrats expected would happen with our new President in power. :-(

[freshwest]

8. He's saying what MLK did years ago. He will be missed.

[Moostache]

9. Another progressive light goes out...

The silence is growing deafening already...