From Daniel T. Knox

Albany

To the Editor: 

I came of age in the fifties and early sixties. It was the time of Lucky Strike and Marlboro packs rolled up in white T-shirt sleeves. Tough guys in old Mercuries with fuzzy dice and “lone wolf” license plates. To that generation the slur, “punk”, was right up there with the “N” word. Almost. A punk was, foremost, selfish. The first to criticize and bully. The first to laugh at physical flaws. His word was useless, for he would say anything to make sure he came out on top. Often of higher means, he had no difficulty recruiting protective back-up. He was just — “a punk.”

When I consider Senator Ron Johnson, I’m again reminded that times change, but people don’t.