27 Comments
User's avatar
Christine Graf's avatar

Striking images in your paragraph beginning "What a way to trail into the twilight . . . " but you lose me with "a creditable career." For this reader, Grassley showed what stuff he's made of years ago with his blatant lie about Obamacare, saying that it would be "pulling the plug on Grandma." Insurance companies, refusing to insure people with "pre-existing conditions," even if the condition had been teenage acne, had been pulling the plug on grandmothers and others for years. Now Grassley is finding out that the narcissist and would-be tyrant in the White House is not a nice guy, not even to his loyal crew. That he cares about no one but himself. It's about time.

Expand full comment
Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Well done, Art. Grassley is little more than an old fool at this point. I agree that he and trump deserve one another. The sad thing is that the old codger likely views that as a compliment.

Expand full comment
Mary Stewart's avatar

Amen! He can give up all that PR generated baloney about the folksy old farmer in the sweater vest. Grassley hasn’t changed, he is who he’s always been. He’s just taken the smiley face off and slipped on his alligator shoes. I wonder what it’s like to be 91, drawing closer to those pearly gates and explaining away his behavior with “But I only followed orders.”

Expand full comment
Jim Sayers's avatar

That, along with his cheesy DQ photo ops. Like really, THAT’S all he’s got?

Expand full comment
Robert Vonnahme's avatar

same reply heard from the nazi regime at the nuremberg trials and the immigration offices in argentina and brazil...

Expand full comment
Jim Sayers's avatar

Thank you, Art. A master at words, you are!

Expand full comment
Virginia Traxler's avatar

Once you accept a convicted felon and rapist as your leader, there just isn’t any way to act like you have scruples. You don’t.

Expand full comment
Amy Johnson's avatar

Chuck Grassley has long said one thing and done another. In the Trump era, it's gotten much worse.

Grassley has permanently damaged any legacy he might have left. It's incredibly sad and infuriating to witness.

Expand full comment
Suzan Erem's avatar

Art, what do you think Trump's GOT on these guys? It has to be more than power for Grassley, at his age. You'd think legacy would drive the guy by now. He's got absolutely nothing to lose. So what is it that's got these guys in lockstep? I'm beginning to believe the next election is already rigged and they've been notified, as paranoid as that sounds.

Expand full comment
Robert Vonnahme's avatar

with musks' satellites literally surrounding the entire earth, i believe it is time to start hand counting all of the ballots on election day...just a paranoid thought...

Expand full comment
thomas scherer's avatar

The fans in the stands are scurrying for that home run ball you just launched Art!

Expand full comment
Anne Kohler's avatar

I’m ashamed to say I voted for him a couple times, tho it was many many years ago, when I believed he had integrity.

Expand full comment
matclone's avatar

Same.

Expand full comment
Madelyn Mayberry's avatar

Grassley’s character was first on display during the Clarence Thomas hearings. That aw shucks public servant masque has always creeped me out. NOT a creditable career in my estimation.

Expand full comment
Clancy Gray's avatar

It would be so nice to be able to issue a pink slip to Chuckles but Father Time will do that work for us; hopefully after the next Gubernatorial and the possibility (dare I say it?) a Democrat might take the Statehouse? That way the anointed grandpickle of Chuckie doesn't get the auto nod from Kim or one of the other cult members. I laughed out loud when I heard Grassspine that he was clutching his pearls in shock that Taco boy was putting him down. ..teehee...thanks Art!

Expand full comment
Ellen Linderman's avatar

I am an outsider, but sort of follow Iowa politics. Grassley lost me when he started taking about death panels and parroting Sarah Palin. I also thought he lost it then, but maybe it was always more about the power and prestige than doing the right thing. And why Grassley would be surprised when Trump engages in personal attacks is beyond me. Trump is only interested in Trump.

Expand full comment
Paul A. Brewer's avatar

For some of us old folks, we have seen the fleas on the big dogs eyeing Grassley since the 70's.

Expand full comment
Barbara Lang's avatar

Bravo, a home run!

Expand full comment
Brian Elvin's avatar

There is a lesson in Grassley for all of us. There comes a time to step back from leadership and take your place out in the pasture of Wise Elders. Revered beings who have been down that Road. They know what they did when they encountered this obstacle or that problem. They are there to share their knowledge and experience if requested. We can read in a book of old newspaper about something, but if the horse is still living, we can ask a question or two if needed. And the Old Horse can receive gratitude for that guidance without the bruises or abuse of trying to continue to lead the charge.

Expand full comment
Terry Lowman's avatar

Good god!

Expand full comment