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Am I missing that a mention of "once in a generation" is suddenly such a binding statement that the speaker can't go back on it? "What are the odds?" 'Once in
by jagged-chisel 4y ago
Am I missing that a mention of "once in a generation" is suddenly such a binding statement that the speaker can't go back on it?
"What are the odds?" 'Once in a generation, I should think'
"Things went badly, let's try again" 'Can't! Once in a generation!'
- brigandish 4y agoI'd say that if you don't wish to be held to a pledge like "once in a generation" then don't make it. If you're the sort of person who thinks words don't matter, that your promises and guarantees don't matter, then I get it. Otherwise I would have to conclude that you simply wish your political goals to be made easier. We'd all like that.
- jagged-chisel 4y agoI think it’s more about expectations that dishonesty. One might expect something is a once-per-generation event, but then things happen, stuff changes, here we are less than a decade later hoping to do it again.