My career was in the tech space, where I was often the lone woman in the room. Over the years due to more rigorous enforcement of EEO laws, scofflaws didn't stop, they changed tactics. Sexism and racism became more subtle, harder to pin down, more micro than macro. Thank you for this piece. It reminds us that at our core, our true belief system rarely changes, only the methods to act on them.
same. my last job i was the lowest paid but most qualified person on my team. NO exceptions were made for me as a parent and when I pointed it out - the men got mad that now THEY had to follow the rules that had been given to ME. i was also told once that a new female coworker could hang with the boys better - bc i once complained that i didnt want to hear about coworkers poop and fart discussions
Excellent look at Grassley and our “story” of his change. I never voted for him, but used to believe that once he had integrity. Being against equal rights ( ERA ) says it all, really.
“Then we don’t have to think too hard about the realities we ignored or the compromises we made in the name of expediency and our own pocketbooks.”
I lived in Omaha for a while. People in Nebraska liked to pretend they were quite different from people in Iowa. At least in this aspect, most were very similar.
"Because to truly remember, to truly go back and to look at his statements and his ideas, would implicate everyone who supported him in the past." That explains the legislature, which purportedly reflects the majority of Iowans.
We moved here in 1998 and my impression of Grassley was that he was very conservative, opposed Democrats regardless of the merit of amy proposals, and wasted time chasing CEO's of non-profits as being too well-paid. He didn't stake out thoughtful positions or oppose his party ever, just another hack (who happened to collect a nice big farm subsidy).
BUT I kept hearing about his "integrity", to which I responded that I did not see that side of him. I'd say I must have moved here after he lost that. His opposition to the ACA really disgusted me; the refusal to hold hearings on Merrick Garland was futher fodder for my skepticism about the formerly great man...Turns out, Lyz, your brave journalism shows my instincts were right. Grassley's golden era of integrity is another part of the mythical past MAGA and Trump like to wax on about. as they allow Elon to destroy one government agency after another.
If you reach out to Eric Woolson again, maybe he would talk to you now.
Kris Kolesnik, who was director of investigations on Grassley's staff for 19 years beginning in the 1980s, would tell you that Grassley has changed, at least in terms of how he conducted oversight work as part of his job. That doesn't mean he used to be a better person or used to have different political views. But there is no doubt for me that the work of his office is very different now from the 1980s, when he genuinely was a thorn in the side of the Reagan administration.
I think there was a big shift in the 2000s for Grassley. His Senate work became more partisan and he became unwilling to challenge Republican presidents in any way.
Minor quibble: he calls his vacuum "Beth," not "Bertha." Bertha is kind of a funny name that no one under 80 has. Beth is very much a present-female coded name.
In the 1980’s when we were having all the strikes due to Reagan’s anti union anti worker policies Grassley introduced a bill to make it a felony for a striker to intimidate a scab on the picket line. Simply flipping off a scab could have been a felony if Grassley’s bill had passed. I have never liked him since.
Reading your post reminds me how I had this exact same conversation about Rudy Giuliani with so many people back during the Trump 45 era.
The question was "What happened to Rudy?" The answer was "Nothing. This is what he's always been. The real question is 'What kept everyone from noticing?'"
At risk of sounding ageist, Grassley (and Mitch McConnell) are the poster boys for term limits. I spend a lot of time caring for my very elderly in-laws who are actually younger than Grassley. I can't IMAGINE what kind of care and upkeep are required by staffers to trot these guys out and have them appear sort of "with it."
I've known Chuck Grassley for 30+ years. Among other things, I've lobbied him numerous times on American Cancer Society issues in Washington, DC. He usually refused to support us with his vote (despite the fact his wife is a breast cancer survivor).
Grassley has a long history of saying one thing and doing another. It's a shame more Iowans haven't figured that out.
First met Chuck and Barb in Clyde Myers living room in 1972. His wholesome grandpa old country boy demeanor is phony and for the benefit of Iowa voters. Like most politicians he is only interested in making sure he gets reelected. As I have told him several times, he has currently sold his soul to trump, as has joni. If you are waiting for him to call for the resignation of Hegseth and friends over the dangerous recent security breach, don't hold your breath. He will show his true colors when Musk finally takes his chainsaw to the Agriculture Depart. He hardly made a whimper when Musk made his initial $11M cut.
His staffer in Davenport truly believes that women entering the workforce was the cause of all economic woe.
That last paragraph is 💣.
Yessss!
My career was in the tech space, where I was often the lone woman in the room. Over the years due to more rigorous enforcement of EEO laws, scofflaws didn't stop, they changed tactics. Sexism and racism became more subtle, harder to pin down, more micro than macro. Thank you for this piece. It reminds us that at our core, our true belief system rarely changes, only the methods to act on them.
I have found this to be true in medicine as well.
Absolutely. 68yo still practicing MD here
same. my last job i was the lowest paid but most qualified person on my team. NO exceptions were made for me as a parent and when I pointed it out - the men got mad that now THEY had to follow the rules that had been given to ME. i was also told once that a new female coworker could hang with the boys better - bc i once complained that i didnt want to hear about coworkers poop and fart discussions
Or fantasy football or March madness.
Excellent look at Grassley and our “story” of his change. I never voted for him, but used to believe that once he had integrity. Being against equal rights ( ERA ) says it all, really.
Thanks for this, Lyz.
The sad thing is that when he finally leaves, his replacement is likely to be no better, just younger.
Probably his grandson!
that's exactly what i was going to say!
“Then we don’t have to think too hard about the realities we ignored or the compromises we made in the name of expediency and our own pocketbooks.”
I lived in Omaha for a while. People in Nebraska liked to pretend they were quite different from people in Iowa. At least in this aspect, most were very similar.
"Because to truly remember, to truly go back and to look at his statements and his ideas, would implicate everyone who supported him in the past." That explains the legislature, which purportedly reflects the majority of Iowans.
We moved here in 1998 and my impression of Grassley was that he was very conservative, opposed Democrats regardless of the merit of amy proposals, and wasted time chasing CEO's of non-profits as being too well-paid. He didn't stake out thoughtful positions or oppose his party ever, just another hack (who happened to collect a nice big farm subsidy).
BUT I kept hearing about his "integrity", to which I responded that I did not see that side of him. I'd say I must have moved here after he lost that. His opposition to the ACA really disgusted me; the refusal to hold hearings on Merrick Garland was futher fodder for my skepticism about the formerly great man...Turns out, Lyz, your brave journalism shows my instincts were right. Grassley's golden era of integrity is another part of the mythical past MAGA and Trump like to wax on about. as they allow Elon to destroy one government agency after another.
If you reach out to Eric Woolson again, maybe he would talk to you now.
Kris Kolesnik, who was director of investigations on Grassley's staff for 19 years beginning in the 1980s, would tell you that Grassley has changed, at least in terms of how he conducted oversight work as part of his job. That doesn't mean he used to be a better person or used to have different political views. But there is no doubt for me that the work of his office is very different now from the 1980s, when he genuinely was a thorn in the side of the Reagan administration.
I think there was a big shift in the 2000s for Grassley. His Senate work became more partisan and he became unwilling to challenge Republican presidents in any way.
Minor quibble: he calls his vacuum "Beth," not "Bertha." Bertha is kind of a funny name that no one under 80 has. Beth is very much a present-female coded name.
In the 1980’s when we were having all the strikes due to Reagan’s anti union anti worker policies Grassley introduced a bill to make it a felony for a striker to intimidate a scab on the picket line. Simply flipping off a scab could have been a felony if Grassley’s bill had passed. I have never liked him since.
Grassley would vote for legislation making it illegal to picket at a Tesla showroom, and throw those protesters in jail for "terrorism", I'm sure.
Reading your post reminds me how I had this exact same conversation about Rudy Giuliani with so many people back during the Trump 45 era.
The question was "What happened to Rudy?" The answer was "Nothing. This is what he's always been. The real question is 'What kept everyone from noticing?'"
"Oh, we know he's an asshole. But he's our asshole." Tribalism. We/they.
People usually point to Branstad's election in 1982 as the marker of the Iowa Republican Party's hard-right shift, but Grassley's election in 1980 was the harbinger. Tom Stoner lost that primary by a lot. I'd say it was over the abortion issue, but I wonder what other people who were in Iowa in 1980 think. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/columnists/courtney-crowder/2023/10/25/tom-stoner-iowa-republican-broadcast-executive-philanthropist-chuck-grassley-rival-dies-at-88/71294208007/
At risk of sounding ageist, Grassley (and Mitch McConnell) are the poster boys for term limits. I spend a lot of time caring for my very elderly in-laws who are actually younger than Grassley. I can't IMAGINE what kind of care and upkeep are required by staffers to trot these guys out and have them appear sort of "with it."
I've known Chuck Grassley for 30+ years. Among other things, I've lobbied him numerous times on American Cancer Society issues in Washington, DC. He usually refused to support us with his vote (despite the fact his wife is a breast cancer survivor).
Grassley has a long history of saying one thing and doing another. It's a shame more Iowans haven't figured that out.
First met Chuck and Barb in Clyde Myers living room in 1972. His wholesome grandpa old country boy demeanor is phony and for the benefit of Iowa voters. Like most politicians he is only interested in making sure he gets reelected. As I have told him several times, he has currently sold his soul to trump, as has joni. If you are waiting for him to call for the resignation of Hegseth and friends over the dangerous recent security breach, don't hold your breath. He will show his true colors when Musk finally takes his chainsaw to the Agriculture Depart. He hardly made a whimper when Musk made his initial $11M cut.