John Dingell will be missed, not only for his willingness to reach across the aisle, but also for his sense of humor.
Image found on Politico.

The world lost another of the old guard Thursday, one of those guys who believed in working together to get things done. Former U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress at 59 years in the House under 11 presidents, fought for civil rights, health care and many other things we should care about. He also wasn’t afraid to call out those in power when they got off-track … or never got on the track to start with. Plus, his sense of humor was great … sarcastic, pointed and honest. He was also a huge fan of the Detroit pro sports teams, and those of the University of Michigan, which will surely miss his support during this year’s March Madness.

If you haven’t read his last op-ed, dictated on the day he died to his wife, Rep. Debbie Dingell, in The Washington Post, you should (read it here).

In it, he talked about the era he came up in, and what we should remember about power.

“My personal and political character was formed in a different era that was kinder, if not necessarily gentler. We observed modicums of respect even as we fought, often bitterly and savagely, over issues that were literally life and death to a degree that—fortunately—we see much less of today. …

“In my life and career, I have often heard it said that so-and-so has real power—as in, ‘the powerful Wile E. Coyote, chairman of the Capture the Road Runner Committee.’ It’s an expression that has always grated on me. In democratic government, elected officials do not have power. They hold power—in trust for the people who elected them. If they misuse or abuse that public trust, it is quite properly revoked (the quicker the better).”

The man was wise beyond his 92 years, and a hell of a lot better at this Internet thing than a lot of us (he was definitely a master of the Twitter burn). I’m proud to dedicate my Sunday post to him. All screenshots are from his Twitter page. Hey, I broke my no-Twitter-on-the-weekend rule for you guys …

It’s funny … and then it scares you a little.

If only he could … but he’s Canadian … and dead.

This is just what I do to people who say “Merry Christmas” as some sort of freaky challenge.

WHAT? The science nerds were aghast. The other nerds just tittered.

Some actually took his advice … a lot of them because they wouldn’t win re-election, but that’s beside the point.

John, your wife read your Twitter.

I’m thinking he might have had an unhealthy relationship with the cupcakes.

Ooh, apparently you lose height, so he wouldn’t be 6’3″ … not that he is in the first place.

Yes, which would make Earth great again!

Well, the groundhog’s more well-behaved, for one thing.

The president is great at selling books he doesn’t agree with … he attacks the author on Twitter, and sales go up!

I think this is how most of us do it, if we watch at all.

Bonus points for “miscreants.”

What other three words accurately describe the president?

If he were AI, we’d really be screwed.

I know, right?

Is too! 😒

If nothing else, this crew’s given us much to laugh about … of course, it’s given us more to be angry about.

The man was hilarious, but he was also gracious. We could all stand to be more like him.