Reviews

I'm Going to Miss Jeff Sessions -- At Least This Version

11/8/2018

He looked like a garden gnome with an accent out of "Mayberry RFD," but when the subject veered to immigrants or demonstrators, Jeff Sessions would tighten up.

He wasn’t funny, then.

Then he was less of a Mayberry character than the town storekeeper who kept his Kleagle robe on a peg in the back room, more out of “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “In the Heat of the Night.”

He had a mission, seemed to me – to restore the good old days of the ‘50s – the 20th Century or maybe even the 19th.

Somehow he got in the way of Trump’s Ultimate Solution, and he had to go.

Then he got lucky. Compared to Trump, he became Fightin’ Jeff, the People’s Choice, remembering his lawyer past, respecting legal niceties like “recusal.”

The version I will miss most was created by the captivating Kate McKinnon on “Saturday Night Live,” who presented Sessions as a cuddly little elf who could fit in small spaces and flash a Howdy Doody smile to the world.

Lucky is the public figure mimicked by McKinnon, even with her glint of deviltry behind the entertainment as she portrays Sessions, Rudy Giuliani or the sewer-dwelling leer of Kellyanne Conway. She is a gem.

There are plenty of ghouls and monsters left to portray. I will still tailor Saturdays to be in front of the tube at 11:29 PM just in case Kate McKinnon is up first.

But I will miss the kewpie-doll grin of Jeff Sessions, so much better on Saturday night than any other time.
* * *
I am not the only one. The Huffington Post reports on a great national angst:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kate-mckinnon-saturday-night-live-jeff-sessions-character_us_5be34627e4b0dbe871a63e1c

John McDermott

11/8/2018 10:38:09 am

He was one of the first to cast his lot with Trump, and was steadfastly loyal(realizing far too late that in Trumplandia loyalty is a strictly a one-way street). He was a creature of the far right, but seemed to also have a strong sense of ethics and duty. I didn’t like him as AG, but he deserved far better than what he got from Trump. His chief mistake seems to have been thinking his job was to serve the law, the constitution and the country, when the only job that mattered was that of serving and protecting Trump, no matter the circumstances, no matter the conflicts.

Hansen Alexander

11/8/2018 04:50:26 pm

John,

You express my thoughts exactly. I thought his resignation letter was classy, thanking the Fuhrer for the opportunity to serve, and never once making reference to the disrespect and taunting his master subjected him to for 17 months. Yet as you saw, loyalty is a one way street with the Trump. Yes, George your portrayal from Saturday Night Live hit the nail on the head.

Alan Rubin link

11/9/2018 09:36:05 am

John and Hansen are correct in that Jeff Sessions was treated poorly.

I found almost everything Jeff Sessions Trumpeted appalling. However, he was among the few, if not only, Trump appointee who actually believed in the integrity and mission of his office.

bruce

11/10/2018 01:03:09 am

i'd have to agree that he handled all the trump excrement extremely well.

i was surprised that he didn't seem to realize from day one that trump's loyalty is a one way street.

he'd chuck anybody over a cliff--including his love ivanka--if it helped him.

just wanted mention what i told george about my first visit to DC being very enjoyable. the biggest surprise was how polite everybody was. almost seemed like your andy griffith reference. people smiling and nodding hello as they passed or telling me to have a nice day. also very helpful when i stopped them to ask for directions or suggestions of where to eat. of course, i tried to disguise the fact that i was from a country that posed a threat to their country's existence--not once did i say, EH!

George Vecsey

11/10/2018 11:57:31 am

Bruce: JFK called Washington "a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm." A good quip, but I don't agree. I found it truly representative of the whole country.
Then again, my many friends from "out there" who visit NYC rave about the friendliness of New Yorkers, which does not surprise me. People volunteer to help,much like some people in Tokyo or Mumbai who would walk me a block to make sure I was in the right direction.
DC is a great city...I miss getting there for work because we love the museums. Great you got there, GV

bruce

11/10/2018 12:09:02 pm

george,

I remember that quip.

I agree with people normally being friendly in big cities.

as you know, I've been to paris a few dozen times and the citizens were/are always helpful.

bundling up to go for a walk.

overcast, 34 F with a wind chill of of 25

i'm declaring summer over.

bruce

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I'm Going to Miss Jeff Sessions -- At Least This Version

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