Ex-Politicians writing articles about the problems they failed to fix are the worst.

The Art of the Post-Career Mea Not-So-Culpa

There’s a special kind of audacity in watching politicians, especially those who failed to address critical issues while in office, write op-eds lecturing the public on how to “fix” the very problems they failed to address while in office. These pieces often follow a familiar script: a solemn tone, vague calls for unity or reform, and a convenient rewriting of history that absolves the author of any responsibility.

Eamon Ryan, the former leader of the Green Party, has an article in today’s Irish Times lamenting why a safe walking and cycling route around Dublin Bay can’t be built. There is nothing wrong with that, even ex-politicians are entitled to their opinions. As I finished reading the article, I thought to myself, he must have no mirrors at home.

Eamon Ryan, Green Party leader—until he wasn’t—once held more ministerial titles than a banana republic general. Communications, Energy, Transport, Environment—you name it, he had a fancy nameplate for it. And while he was busy saving th…