This is The Opinions, a show that brings you a mix of voices from New York Times' opinion.
You've heard the news.
Here's what to make of it.
I'm Michelle Cottle, and I cover national politics for New York Times' opinion.
This week, I am joined by my brilliant colleague,
Columbus David French, and by brilliant contributing opinion writer, E.J.
Dionne.
Guys, welcome.
How's it going?
Great.
Enjoy to be with you both.
It's great to be with you, Michelle.
I missed you last week.
Well, I am ready to dive back in.
But I gotta say, I leave town for a week to visit family,
and you two let the government shut down and the National Guard invade Memphis and Chicago.
I feel this is extremely irresponsible.
It's kind of unexcusable.
You know, in a previous era of honor and duty,
we would just Resign and shame, Michelle, but we're not in that era anymore.