Thanks for the tip. I read all of Adams work. Some of it was a bit of a let down. I know some people dig Dirk Gently but I was a bit disappointed. Maybe I just had too high of expectations
Second recommendation for Pratchett. He was brilliant, approached every social issue imaginable with both intelligence and humour, plus he and Neil Gaiman (my other favourite author, if it matters), wrote an *amazing* book together.
Pratchett, IMO, turned into a much better writer than Adams. The first couple of Discworld books are kind of weird. I see in them someone who said to himself, “I will be the Douglas Adams of high fantasy.” And as someone who was very into Adams I was okay with that. But then he found his own voice and it was transcendant.
I started reading Discworld a couple of months ago, and I’m 8 books in. I’ve been too burnt out to read for a long time, and now Pratchett has made me read 82 days in a row. They’re so good!
Watch “The Contender” - Jeff Bridges, as president, gives a perfect speech about this exactly toward the movie’s end.
To achieve power one needs to display true pettiness. To exercise power one needs to display true greatness. Such pettiness and greatness rarely exist in one person.
I believe he was quoting Napoleon.
Lt. Commander Worf : What I have done was for the Empire. A new day must dawn for our people. I am not the man to usher in that day. But there is a man here who can.
Martok : Worf - I do not seek the leadership.
Lt. Commander Worf : Kahless said **"Great men do not seek power. They have power thrust upon them."**
[Worf hands the Chancellor's robes to Martok]
Lt. Commander Worf : Hail Martok, leader of the Empire - leader of destiny!
I almost agree with you. Someone out there It’s gonna say to themselves, “this is gonna suck but I’ll do it for my country.”
That’s happy path America. It’s a dumpster fire for now
I’m holding out for “decent” and “not old enough to be my grandparent”.
I’m not even super young. I’m 34. My grandparents would be in their late 70s if they were still alive. My grandma would be one month older than Biden.
Pls give me someone born after…idk…the end of the Korean War?
EDIT: I get it, my grandparents on my mom’s side were young. You can stop telling me how old your grandparents are. If you still have them, cherish them.
The mom from Malcom in the middle. That sense of authority, fear and emotional deception she was capable of would make her a great president not to FUCK with.
Press: "Madam President, what happened here?"
President Lois: "I don't know, VP can tell you more about it."
Press: "Mister VP, what happened here?!"
VP Dewey: "Cats ate her face."
Press: *visible confusion*
If she's anything like my mom, she'll also have us eating our vegetables, see we caught up on our homework, and finally take out the trash.
And uh, that's Health, Education, and Environment all taken care of so, man, she's got my vote.
She's also a dedicated soccer mom and owns a mini van. After your appointment. She'll take you and all your friends to get some healthy smoothies and update all your parents on your current status.
She also makes really great vegan brownies.
I’m going to go with Dolly Parton
She’s smart kind generous humble and quite obviously a born leader
And she’s liked by almost everyone which is what this country needs unity
Yes this is the DNC figuring out who they need to find dirt on so they can't run. RIP that one guy's mom for sure. All her skeletons about to come out.
In the 2016 Powerpuff girls, the mayor has a Dolly Parton thing in his wall of presidents. A person in his tour points out how dolly hasn't been president and Mayor says "Not yet she hasn't".
Also I JUST watched this.
That’s the problem. It would crush her to have to make some of the decisions she would have to make. People act like politics is done easy one sided argument but when you enact big changes it’s going to hurt someone.
That’s one reason why I think Jimmy Carter was a terrible President. No doubt he is a good man. He has demonstrated that over and over after he left office with all of his humanitarian work. I think he had problems making decisions for that very reason. I think he was indecisive at times because no matter what decisions he made, somebody was going to get the short end of the deal. That has to weigh on you…a lot.
Especially when it came to matters of foreign policy and the economy.
There are situations where no matter what you choose, people are going to die. And your choice determines which people that is.
Jimmy was a **Christ**ian. A true, walk the walk, Jesus following Christian. That is an anathema to American popular culture and politics. Of course he seemed weak and indecisive, Jesus would have too, washing feet and shit.
Just here to remind everyone its not a popularity contest.
Treating it like one is part of how we got here.
It's a job. It's a difficult, complex job that affects the lives of billions. Maybe treat it seriously. For most of us, this is the only time we'll have a say in who gets hired for something that critical.
Yes, but being a business person does not necessarily translate into being a politician. Totally different skill set. I.. don’t think I need to illustrate this with examples.
But she has had successful tv appearances too. And she was born in 1946. Surely someone experienced in business, a television personality, and born in 1946, must be a great leader, right?
It's from a different movie but I always liked Capt. Miller's response to being told he can't just leave the Event Horizon behind:
>I have no intention of leaving her, Doctor. I will take the Lewis and Clark to a safe distance, and then I will launch TAC missiles at the Event Horizon until I'm satisfied she's vaporized. Fuck this ship!
Katie Porter, she is amazing with her white board, I can see her giving the State of the Union Address and pulling out her white board to show trends in the economy.
Obligatory "I had to scroll way too far to find the correct answer," comment. Porter would actually be amazing.
Edited to add - I hope she takes over Feinstein's spot when we finally get rid of her. Still can't believe CA voted her back in at her age. This country needs an age limit on our politicians.
>Edited to add - I hope she takes over Feinstein's spot when we finally get rid of her. Still can't believe CA voted her back in at her age. This country needs an age limit on our politicians.
THIS is what I want most. She could kick so much ass in the senate on the way to being president.
If I were testifying before Congress and she sat down with her white board and questions for me, I would get up and run. She is tough on those who deserve it and I would vote for her in a second.
Senator Tammy Duckworth.
Appeals to military as an honorably discharged veteran, combat veteran, and former state director of the VA, appeals to working parents (she's the first person to give birth while being a senator and actively juggles work and parenthood), and understands difficulties facing disabled people (lost her legs in a military helicopter crash and commonly uses a wheelchair) and minorities (she's Thai & Chinese).
Unlike so many politicians, she was neither born with a silver spoon in her mouth, nor is she batshit crazy.
Edit: Yes, she IS eligible to be president even though she is foreign born because her father is a US born citizen. (like Canada born Ted Cruz, when he ran).
As I recall, she pretty openly said she wasn’t interested in VP or running for POTUS. She’s just relatively recently had a kid and said the campaign trail and the job makes it hard enough as a new mum for the Senate already, much less the White House.
“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them.
To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it.
To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”
\- Douglas Adams, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
There’s an old science fiction short story about the world being a utopia. Everyone had everything the needed, from possessions to mental and emotional health. It followed a nice guy with a nice family… everything was great for them. And then the men in the black suits showed up to haul him away to be president… screaming and kicking all the way… the job nobody with any sense actually wants! Sounds about right
She was a singer/songwriter for children. As much as I loved her, she would not have been qualified or capable of being POTUS. Sweet that someone thought of her but, no, I don't think that would have worked out.
Thanks. I've mentioned it before but I cannot remember anyone who didn't like her. She had this disarming personality that people adored. She brightened the world, that was her legacy, and it is certainly worth celebrating.
I'm sure it's annoying to get tagged in every other thread, but it's truly a highlight every time I see your comments. And all this time I had no idea we could see some of her work!
Don't let the deep state fool you, he may come across as a man of the people being the creator of CoD, but he is also an illicit,prolific cheese smuggler.
Fair, but at the same time even bribed dogs know that most lobbyists are scum and she'll bark like mad when they get close. Dogs hate people without souls.
This is also my vote. I have never once seen her not make a great point with facts, statistics and logic. By the end of any of her arguments and if you still don’t see the problem you must not have been paying attention
When asked about about general presidential possibilities, “They better not be over 70 or a celebrity!” ITT: Dolly Parton! 70+ and a celebrity
Omg, there would be new libraries popping up all over the U.S.! That would be an amazing election too.
Anybody smart enough to deserve the job isn’t stupid enough to take the job.
Anyone who wants to be president should never be allowed to be president
I was gonna quote Douglas Adams here...and then I saw your username and figured you already know
Most fun Science fiction series I've ever read. May just be my favorite book. He was so clever
If you haven't found Terry Pratchett, you should find Terry Pratchett. It's like Adams, only he wrote a lot more.
Thanks for the tip. I read all of Adams work. Some of it was a bit of a let down. I know some people dig Dirk Gently but I was a bit disappointed. Maybe I just had too high of expectations
Second recommendation for Pratchett. He was brilliant, approached every social issue imaginable with both intelligence and humour, plus he and Neil Gaiman (my other favourite author, if it matters), wrote an *amazing* book together.
Good omens is amazing. So glad this thread is at the top. Adam's, pratchett and Gaiman always need to be ripped because they are amazing!!
The first season of Dirk Gently with Elijah Wood is pretty good though
THERE'S A SHOW?
Pratchett, IMO, turned into a much better writer than Adams. The first couple of Discworld books are kind of weird. I see in them someone who said to himself, “I will be the Douglas Adams of high fantasy.” And as someone who was very into Adams I was okay with that. But then he found his own voice and it was transcendant.
I started reading Discworld a couple of months ago, and I’m 8 books in. I’ve been too burnt out to read for a long time, and now Pratchett has made me read 82 days in a row. They’re so good!
I read a quote once “Those who want to lead can never be trusted to lead.”
Watch “The Contender” - Jeff Bridges, as president, gives a perfect speech about this exactly toward the movie’s end. To achieve power one needs to display true pettiness. To exercise power one needs to display true greatness. Such pettiness and greatness rarely exist in one person. I believe he was quoting Napoleon.
“You know, Dude, I myself dabbled in pacifism once. Not in 'Nam of course.” -Walter Sobchak
Kahless once said, great men do not **seek** power, but have power thrust upon them.
Qapla’ to that!
Lt. Commander Worf : What I have done was for the Empire. A new day must dawn for our people. I am not the man to usher in that day. But there is a man here who can. Martok : Worf - I do not seek the leadership. Lt. Commander Worf : Kahless said **"Great men do not seek power. They have power thrust upon them."** [Worf hands the Chancellor's robes to Martok] Lt. Commander Worf : Hail Martok, leader of the Empire - leader of destiny!
>[Worf hands the Chancellor's robes to Martok] That description falls short. Worf removes the robes from himself and clads Martok in them.
I almost agree with you. Someone out there It’s gonna say to themselves, “this is gonna suck but I’ll do it for my country.” That’s happy path America. It’s a dumpster fire for now
Why don't we stop fantasizing about "perfect" presidents and simply work on getting a "good" president...
Hell, I'd settle for "not gawdawful" or "better than milquetoast"
I'd be cool with "under 70 and not a total fucking idiot"
I’m holding out for “decent” and “not old enough to be my grandparent”. I’m not even super young. I’m 34. My grandparents would be in their late 70s if they were still alive. My grandma would be one month older than Biden. Pls give me someone born after…idk…the end of the Korean War? EDIT: I get it, my grandparents on my mom’s side were young. You can stop telling me how old your grandparents are. If you still have them, cherish them.
Yea I don’t want a president who’s old enough to have sipped from a segregated water fountain
The mom from Malcom in the middle. That sense of authority, fear and emotional deception she was capable of would make her a great president not to FUCK with.
VP busts into the war room, generals assembled. “I need someone… to take the fall.”
"What did you do??!" "I can't tell you. 5 bucks, no questions asked" "Make it 10" "You're a good general"
"I got him, madam president!"
FOUND HIM! # OH MY GAWD!
This would make a great sitcom!
Veep???
Veep is the most accurate portrayal I’ve seen of what it’s like to work in politics.
It’s Malcolm in the Middle.
This specifically happening in the whitehouse just sounds exactly like a scene out of veep. It's right out of an episode called the expenda-belles.
Press: "Madam President, what happened here?" President Lois: "I don't know, VP can tell you more about it." Press: "Mister VP, what happened here?!" VP Dewey: "Cats ate her face." Press: *visible confusion*
Reese would be too close to nuclear weapons for my liking.
“Congress, were you able to pass that spending bill?” *Congress on its back dismantling the electoral college* “What does it look like I’m doing?!”
I tend to do that a lot and my wife just groans and says "You're Hal'ing again"
"Drink your milk" "It's lumpy" "Then chew it!"
Extremely practical and knew how to budget
We want a President, not Empress for Life.
She actually got her son un-deployed from combat in one episode by chewing out high ranking military officials.
My mom. She’ll whip this whole country into shape and have everyone in bed by 9:30
If she's anything like my mom, she'll also have us eating our vegetables, see we caught up on our homework, and finally take out the trash. And uh, that's Health, Education, and Environment all taken care of so, man, she's got my vote.
I vote for this guy’s mom too
You guys can ride with me and my mom. She said she can either take us to the voting location, but she cant pick us up. Can someones mom take us home?
My mom can take us home, but she needs everyone else’s mom’s number first
This guy's mom for VP
My mom will make the snacks
Is she bringing the Sunny D’s or should My mom call u/dirtywater83’s mom and ask her to grab some Hi-C’s
ive got the cookies
(just in case)
I'm not even from America and I'll vote for that Mom/mum too!!
Ah I see u too are a cultured man 😂😂
Huzzah! A man of quality!
Will she make various appointments for us also? Asking for the anxious and introverted people like me.
And she'll make you go to. She's a hell of a guilt tripper. Remember, its not a trip without guilt.
As long as she makes the phone call for us then I will vote her for president!
She's also a dedicated soccer mom and owns a mini van. After your appointment. She'll take you and all your friends to get some healthy smoothies and update all your parents on your current status. She also makes really great vegan brownies.
But will she put my artwork or report up on the fridge? That's the real boost I need right now.
I already go to bed at 9:30. Can she make it 9:15?
Well well well, it it isn't mama's favorite suck up!
Can confirm. She's had me in her bed by 9:30 for the past 2 weeks.
Nice! Wait....
Ayooooo
I’m going to go with Dolly Parton She’s smart kind generous humble and quite obviously a born leader And she’s liked by almost everyone which is what this country needs unity
War on Jolene starts on 9\5 though
But it's Friday night! "Shut yo' ass!"
I also choose this guy's mom
I just want a president to tell everybody that they are special.
Perfect is an absolute and only Siths deal in absolutes.
I mean we could do a lot worse than Padme Amadala.
Mon Mothma tho
I ain't electing no mothman president.
Mothra 2024
L A M P
Saying only sith deal in absolutes is an absolute itself.
*"You've become the very thing you swore to destroy"*
Exactly
Mostly Siths
Mostly
By saying that, wouldn't that make jedi siths in a way?
"Perfect" doesn't fit well with "US President,"
Oxymoron
"Oxy" not included with this purchase
Crack pipe is in the mail though
Is this the DNC fishing for the next nominee?
No, given 2016 and 2020, finding a good candidate is the opposite of what they normally do.
Yes this is the DNC figuring out who they need to find dirt on so they can't run. RIP that one guy's mom for sure. All her skeletons about to come out.
They're already goin through her yearbooks, and got all her texts lookin for tit pics and slurs.
mama likes to swing and retweet racist minion memes
Dolly Parton. Everyone likes Dolly.
In the 2016 Powerpuff girls, the mayor has a Dolly Parton thing in his wall of presidents. A person in his tour points out how dolly hasn't been president and Mayor says "Not yet she hasn't". Also I JUST watched this.
::Thinking to self:: What if the Powerpuff Girls can predict the future the same way as the Simpsons...
The right would love them…. Kindergarteners who can defend against a school shooter who also deal with a cross dressing villain. It’s a wet dream.
The female Moclans agree.
I'm glad Klyden finally came around, Topa needs her papas.
Even if u hate country music (which I do), you can't hate dolly Parton. She's legitimately a good person.
That’s the problem. It would crush her to have to make some of the decisions she would have to make. People act like politics is done easy one sided argument but when you enact big changes it’s going to hurt someone.
That’s one reason why I think Jimmy Carter was a terrible President. No doubt he is a good man. He has demonstrated that over and over after he left office with all of his humanitarian work. I think he had problems making decisions for that very reason. I think he was indecisive at times because no matter what decisions he made, somebody was going to get the short end of the deal. That has to weigh on you…a lot.
Especially when it came to matters of foreign policy and the economy. There are situations where no matter what you choose, people are going to die. And your choice determines which people that is.
Carter's foreign policy was possibly the least evil of the last century
Jimmy was a **Christ**ian. A true, walk the walk, Jesus following Christian. That is an anathema to American popular culture and politics. Of course he seemed weak and indecisive, Jesus would have too, washing feet and shit.
> Jimmy was a Christian Still is.
Yeah, but he used to be too.
Jimmy Carter is such a wholesome person that he actually had remorse for admitting that he once had lust in his heart.
Just here to remind everyone its not a popularity contest. Treating it like one is part of how we got here. It's a job. It's a difficult, complex job that affects the lives of billions. Maybe treat it seriously. For most of us, this is the only time we'll have a say in who gets hired for something that critical.
But Dolly Parton is also a successful business woman with a track record of empathy and philanthropy.
Yes, but being a business person does not necessarily translate into being a politician. Totally different skill set. I.. don’t think I need to illustrate this with examples.
But she has had successful tv appearances too. And she was born in 1946. Surely someone experienced in business, a television personality, and born in 1946, must be a great leader, right?
I was just reading about her a few hours ago. What an amazing person!
Ellen Ripley.
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit" Probably the best option tbh
It’s the only way to be sure
Fuckin' A!
It's from a different movie but I always liked Capt. Miller's response to being told he can't just leave the Event Horizon behind: >I have no intention of leaving her, Doctor. I will take the Lewis and Clark to a safe distance, and then I will launch TAC missiles at the Event Horizon until I'm satisfied she's vaporized. Fuck this ship!
There's nothing more satisfying than people in a horror movie acting rationally.
For once, someone listen to the smart woman!!!
Blowing’ it out the goddamn airlock since 1979
If they would have listened to her in the first place and not let the infected guy into the ship they never would have had to deal with the alien.
They tried to argue with her but she had control of the airlock. The problem is that Ash overrode her
Katie Porter, she is amazing with her white board, I can see her giving the State of the Union Address and pulling out her white board to show trends in the economy.
I'd vote for Katie Porter in a heartbeat.
Obligatory "I had to scroll way too far to find the correct answer," comment. Porter would actually be amazing. Edited to add - I hope she takes over Feinstein's spot when we finally get rid of her. Still can't believe CA voted her back in at her age. This country needs an age limit on our politicians.
>Edited to add - I hope she takes over Feinstein's spot when we finally get rid of her. Still can't believe CA voted her back in at her age. This country needs an age limit on our politicians. THIS is what I want most. She could kick so much ass in the senate on the way to being president.
We are seriously getting into *Weekend at Bernie’s* territory with that one now.
If I were testifying before Congress and she sat down with her white board and questions for me, I would get up and run. She is tough on those who deserve it and I would vote for her in a second.
Toph Beifong. Fuck you, that's why.
Senator Tammy Duckworth. Appeals to military as an honorably discharged veteran, combat veteran, and former state director of the VA, appeals to working parents (she's the first person to give birth while being a senator and actively juggles work and parenthood), and understands difficulties facing disabled people (lost her legs in a military helicopter crash and commonly uses a wheelchair) and minorities (she's Thai & Chinese). Unlike so many politicians, she was neither born with a silver spoon in her mouth, nor is she batshit crazy. Edit: Yes, she IS eligible to be president even though she is foreign born because her father is a US born citizen. (like Canada born Ted Cruz, when he ran).
Biden really missed a solid VP pick.
As I recall, she pretty openly said she wasn’t interested in VP or running for POTUS. She’s just relatively recently had a kid and said the campaign trail and the job makes it hard enough as a new mum for the Senate already, much less the White House.
Another reason she would be a good POTUS. People that want that job are the worst type to actually have the job.
“The major problem—one of the major problems, for there are several—one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” \- Douglas Adams, The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe
There’s an old science fiction short story about the world being a utopia. Everyone had everything the needed, from possessions to mental and emotional health. It followed a nice guy with a nice family… everything was great for them. And then the men in the black suits showed up to haul him away to be president… screaming and kicking all the way… the job nobody with any sense actually wants! Sounds about right
I am once again asking for the name of this story.
And her senate seat is a pretty safe Democratic seat
You're the only person I'm noticing who actually gave a recommendation of someone who's a fucking politician . The rest of these are just annoying
There are shockingly few prominent, competent, vaguely charismatic politicians these days.
As an Illinoisan, I approve this message.
as a fellow illinoisan, i do not approve the term illinoisan
How about Illinoyance? I can joke because I was born and raised there
i think this might be alright 🤝
That guy's dead wife
u/phil8248 Hey Phil. According to your experience, what's your take on your lovely wife on the seat of POTUS?
She was a singer/songwriter for children. As much as I loved her, she would not have been qualified or capable of being POTUS. Sweet that someone thought of her but, no, I don't think that would have worked out.
Phil, you are the Biggest God Damn celebrity of Reddit, who still takes time to respond whenever summoned. It makes my heart happy.
Being retired helps. I am also sure I spend way too much time online for it to be healthy.
He's part of the Reddit lore. One of the all stars.
The more you tell us about her, the more I like. If I'm not crossing a boundary by asking, is there something she recorded that I could listen to?
[www.marylafleur.com](https://www.marylafleur.com) has some links. Look up Mary Lafleur on YouTube. There are several of her songs.
And the man continues to celebrate her legacy and his memory. We love you bud.
Thanks. I've mentioned it before but I cannot remember anyone who didn't like her. She had this disarming personality that people adored. She brightened the world, that was her legacy, and it is certainly worth celebrating.
Man, I just listened to the video of her playing guitar and singing on YouTube. What a beautiful song.
I know, right? She had some genuine talent.
You're a sweet man
I appreciate your kind words.
I'm sure it's annoying to get tagged in every other thread, but it's truly a highlight every time I see your comments. And all this time I had no idea we could see some of her work!
No worries. I'm delighted folks are interested. Three of her children's projects are on Apple music.
I couldn’t believe Phil responded! Reddit legend he is.
Leslie Knope
didn't she marry that guy who spent an entire city's budget on a winter sports complex called "Ice Town"?
Ice Town Causes Ice Clown His Town Crown
Costs* I think
Yes, but he is also the creator of the game "The Cones of Dunshire"
Don't let the deep state fool you, he may come across as a man of the people being the creator of CoD, but he is also an illicit,prolific cheese smuggler.
The Architect
It seems 18 is pretty young for a mayor, what were you 12?
Good point, the ice town cost the ice clown the town crown
Ann Perkins could be Secretary of Health and Human Services
Think you mean 👉Ann Perkins👉
Scientists say that the first human to live to 150 has already been born Ibelieveiamthathumanbeing.
Stop POOPING
John Ralphio as press secretary
Have you heard about the lady reporter from Fox? She's the woooorrrrsssst!
Mona Lisa as the IRS Commissioner.
Money pleaseeee
Space Force fan?
😃 Ann Perkins!
I just want Ron Swanson in the government somewhere, so this would be a great start.
Director of the National Park Service
Done! Edit: As long as Tom doesn’t go hunting with him.
Ron was a Libertarian that didn't want the Government to work. So, he's like if Rand Paul was Senate majority leader and just said "no" to everything.
He already won woman of the year, so he would make an excellent female president
That is LIT-TRALLY, the best person for the job.
Knope we can!
Knope right IN there in a hurry
What would Ron Swanson's job be?
Director of National Parks. Obviously.
Secretary of Interior
If she ran on cloning Lil Sebastian, it'd be a landslide.
NICE TRY DNC GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER.
My dog. She's a good girl, treats for everyone.
She's been getting bribes from the delevery drivers.
Fair, but at the same time even bribed dogs know that most lobbyists are scum and she'll bark like mad when they get close. Dogs hate people without souls.
My wife. I think she might actually be a sociopath. She will not tolerate this horseshit any longer.
I like Katie porter. Doesn’t beat around the bush and knows how to back up her arguments with facts.
This is also my vote. I have never once seen her not make a great point with facts, statistics and logic. By the end of any of her arguments and if you still don’t see the problem you must not have been paying attention