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S.L.O.B.

A review of “Unfettered” by John Fetterman.

Few people have had such a fall from grace in the eyes of American democrats as John Fetterman. Originally seen as a working man’s hero, he rose to prominence in the US as the democrat challenger to a hotly contested Senate seat in 2023. Standing at 6 foot 8, and 270 pounds, it’s fair to say that Fetterman loomed large on the horizon. The choice in 2023 was between Fetterman and Mehmet Oz, a celebrity doctor who has advocated scam diets, COVID conspiracies, and has been accused of false advertising and having a disdain for science and evidence.

“Oh, that must have been an easy choice”, you might be saying. “Clearly this Fetterman guy must be the better option.”

Well, possibly not. After reading Fetterman’s autobiography Unfettered (get it?) you realize that this election was really a Sophie’s Choice for Pennsylvanians, a bunch of whom were probably wondering if they could just give up on this whole democracy thing and return to the Feudal system to toil the fields in peace.

Fetterman won the election but quickly became infamous for a number of reasons. Not showing up to work was one of them. Having a stroke and then taking a hard right turn in politics was another. He openly complained about how much he hated the Senate and what a waste of time it was. He took a hard stance in support of Israel. He refused to wear anything other than shorts and hoodies to the Senate. His clothes are hardly the strangest of his behavior; but it’s noticeable that the senate passed a 2023 bill targeting Fetterman known as the “Show Our Respect to the Senate” Bill (or SHORTS Bill) to enforce dress codes.

Not bad, but I can’t believe they didn’t go with “Senate Legislative Outfit Bylaw” (or S.L.O.B.).

This book is miserable to get through. Fetterman isn’t a happy guy, and he hates politics, which makes you wonder why he is dedicating his life to a political career. Join the club this week as we talk about why, highlighting this uniquely odd politician, and his political rise from opportunism to indifference. And be grateful we’re doing it for you. Because this guy’s turds are big ones.

Beau Dashington