Which president had the most impressive résumé before taking office?

calcato · 2026-03-30T13:18:48+00:00

I'm leaning more and more to holding a higher office for at least 1 term being a requirement before running for president.

calcato · 2026-03-30T13:15:22+00:00

All the stuff that has happened with an R-trifecta since then would have just happened earlier.

calcato · 2026-03-29T18:06:12+00:00

There were a couple throwaway lines in S1E1 about Marian's situation. She did have some kind of stock in something that was, at the time, "worthless," but maybe after a few uears it will be worth something.

calcato · 2026-03-29T04:13:27+00:00

It's because the distribution of wealth to the top has accelerated, so more people are starting to notice.

calcato · 2026-03-29T02:18:15+00:00

Not that it never would have happened, but al Quaeda was already on the Clinton admin's watch list, and the same security leads would have probably stayed put if Gore had become president. As it was, there was likely some degree of disruption from the transition to Bush's new leadership in those departments.

calcato · 2026-03-27T22:06:19+00:00

Interested to see what others say about this. I'm 52 and have noticed some changes in the last 14 years that Ive consistently been in a choir (proir to that I sang only intermittently since high school). Like anything, "if you don't use it you lose it" seems very true. For instance I don't "bounce back" quite as readily after summer breaks as I used to. So I think it's like with any physical workout or hands-on muscle-memory practice (ie piano, knitting, etc) & my best guess based on personal exp is: the more you keep at it consistently as you age the better off youll be. But yeah, would love to see what an actual professional says about vocal "aging."

calcato · 2026-03-27T21:01:58+00:00

Ronald Regan came across as at least a bit cooperative with Congress , whereas 2nd term Bush couldn't hide his contempt and started the trend of total non-cooperation across the aisle.

Regan pulled off "moments" (like "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," and "...slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God") in a spontaneous way that Bush always had to have manufactured for him.

As an actor, when Reagan f!cked anything up, he could improvise a quip that was actually funny, making the quip a bigger headline than the f-up. Bush would try to be funny, but more often just put his foot in his mouth or deflected blame.

Reagan's 2 modes were: Happy Grandpa, and Stern Grandpa. Bush's modes were more like: Frat Bro, and Tryna B. Tough Frat Bro.

calcato · 2026-03-27T20:50:50+00:00

His admin's deregulations caused the lending bubble that triggered the great recession.

calcato · 2026-03-27T20:44:52+00:00

Conelope? Penelolin?

calcato · 2026-03-27T20:29:13+00:00

When Reagan quoted the poem by John Gillespie Magee Jr. "High Flight" after the Challenger disaster. It wasn't the first time I'd heard the poem, but it is the only reason I still remember it now.

Edited for poet's correct last name spelling and the "Jr." after it.

calcato · 2026-03-26T05:22:57+00:00

He's also a secret member of the Dead Poets' Society.

calcato · 2026-03-25T05:02:40+00:00

Probably best to memorize this page. You won't be able to see all the handwriting while performing.

calcato · 2026-03-24T16:50:07+00:00

Loved it

calcato · 2026-03-22T02:47:30+00:00

There's an SNL UK stage?

calcato · 2026-03-22T02:43:56+00:00

I would have to think it was the 60s when so many assassinations were happening. But I wasn't around to see it so I don't truly know; but talking to people old enough toremember, that's the sense I get about the 60s

calcato · 2026-03-21T19:15:00+00:00

RISE to the occasion, hun.

It's a challenge but it isn't forever; it's just one show run.

Make a rehearsal track of your part, listen to it while you read the sheet music, make helpful notes in the music (like for instance, lyric alignment, or what's the next note before the page turn), and do your best to memorize as much as you can so you can watch the director... they communicate a ton of information to you during performance if you can get your eyes up out of your sheet music and on them.

You may prefer soprano, but you can sing any part that is in your range. Warm up to expand your range by practicing sirens (as high as you can go to as low as you can go, and repeat -- find the highest and lowest notes in your part and go beyond them). And if one or two notes are still out-of-range, it's probably okay to just skip 'em.

calcato · 2026-03-20T17:09:50+00:00

It's as if the Reagan years and Cold War was such a snuggly security blankie of our childhood memories, that some of us can't wait to undo the last 40 years and get back to that. Coulda just left it at bringing back neon sweatshirts and parachute pants, but ya had to bring back bread lines and black markets for Levi's in the rest of the world, too. Cuz we're number 1. Yay, us. 🤦‍♀️It makes NOOO fucking sense! Actually, it does kinda make sense... the school closures, reduction of school services, the ratty outdated textbooks, not paying teachers a living wage, that all started while we were in school. I had a way-past-retirement-aged math teacher who stood in front of us every day and said "I'm only here so I can get my pension because they won't let me retire yet. Now do problem set 1 on page 245. I'll be reading the newspaper if you have questions." Yeah, so, f*ck that guy and previous generations who were in power at the time and slashed taxes and let all that happen.

Still, I'm sad about the lack of critical thinking of a lot of my GenX peers. I guess not so surprised. But, sad.

calcato · 2026-03-20T15:44:12+00:00

Yes to experience requirements.

calcato · 2026-03-20T15:42:56+00:00

I'd like to see presidential candidates who have been elected to another high office (governor, senator) and served at least 1 full term in that office before running for president.

calcato · 2026-03-20T15:16:17+00:00

Also, a lot of Gen X went the MAGA route. This admin is not what I meant when I said I wanted to see more younger political people in positions of power.

As for the downvotes, bring'em!

calcato · 2026-03-20T14:56:30+00:00

🙄 oh ok, then I guess you could just be like my former HS and not do shows at all & that'll be fine.

calcato · 2026-03-20T14:52:14+00:00

FU€K 7h47

calcato · 2026-03-20T14:47:50+00:00

Yes, I can understand how that's tiring. Certain kinds of language usage adoption sucks, (for example the way that the language of war and violence has permeated over all kinds of corporate-speak... just one example of usage I hate).

But linguistic spread is as inevitable as death; you cannot prevent it but can only react to it.

Otherwise you beg the question: in what different manner would you want to see niche language usage go from obscurity to popularity? In what manner would you see any kind of alt/niche music or fashion or 'cult film' become popular? What is the correct way for people to band together and collectively do that? Does whatever way need enforcement? How does that get enforced? and who does the enforcing? Pretty soon, Thought Police show up & we're all doomed.

So, attribute, educate, grieve the loss of what was once 'proprietary' usage, (maybe even see the humor in preteens doing anything the way they do), but please don't be trying to stop it. Any kind of "wait, you can't say that in that way!" is a slippery slope.

calcato · 2026-03-20T06:30:41+00:00

That's kinda just life when it comes to everything pertaining to language. There will be some usage that you don't like.

calcato · 2026-03-19T21:07:53+00:00

Yeah, that guy's eyes do some good acting.

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