I ran into Congresswoman Maxine Waters in the American Airlines Admirals Club at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and had to chuckle that she also enjoys stuffing food in her purse…she was a Depression-era child, after all. We also enjoyed a pleasant conversation.
Maxine Waters Sits Down Next To Me In LAX American Airlines Admirals Club
Ahead of my 9:05 am flight from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh on American Airlines, traffic was smoother than I expected, and I settled into the Admirals Club in Terminal 5 at LAX about 90 minutes before boarding.
As I sat sipping my coffee and working, Waters arrived and took a seat right next to me, under the rotunda (maybe it reminded her of the US Capitol?). There she sat, nibbling on a muffin and sipping coffee herself, occasionally checking her mobile phone, but mostly just staring into space. There’s a lot to contemplate these days!
She was on the 7:45 am nonstop to Washington National (DCA), a favorite flight for Members of Congress returning to the District after weekends at home in their Southern California districts.
A couple of other folks came up to her during the 30 minutes or so she was there, and the large bodyguard traveling with her (seated behind her) did not try to stop anyone. She was in a good mood, posing for pictures and making small talk.
It was my first time meeting the Congresswoman, and I had a nice chat with her about a person of mutual concern. It’s a strange world in which a politician I’ve long opposed and even maligned is suddenly an ideological ally in protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States.
I know many on the left and right hate how “old” our national leaders are in the USA. I say rubbish…with age comes wisdom (I’m not necessarily speaking about Waters), but I am personally opposed to term limits in all cases…though that’s another issue for another day.
Waters was born in 1938, a year before my recently deceased father. She’s seen a lot in her 8+ decades in this county and now in her 18th term, she’s spent a lifetime in Congress as well. I don’t believe in retirement, especially when you are doing something you are passionate about and the people want to send you back, so in that sense, it was good to see an octogenarian going to work.
Before she left, she grabbed a banana from the buffet and dropped it in her purse. Good thing this wasn’t a Delta Sky Club!
> Read More: Did Maxine Waters Flout Mask Rule On United Airlines?
> Read More: Delta Lounge Agent Reprimands Passenger For Taking Banana, Prompting Mass Revolt
@ Matthew — How you could oppose Maxine Waters? She’s a strong black woman that don’t take no crap!
These days, the enemy of your enemy is your friend.
Amen.
God, country, then party, and ours no longer exists except in name only.
She’s scum.
But that weave wearing jasmine Crockett is worse.
She’s incited violence against her Political opponents. Violence from an old battleaxe. I’d have her locked up. And I am sure she was enjoying American First Class on the taxpayer teat. Get back in Economy woman, you damn violent thing.
I have nothing against Rep. Waters specifically, but saying that “the people want to send her back” is just simply not true. The wealthy donors and corporations who have funded her campaign for decades know that she’s going to continue to focus on their interests. A realistic challenger would have to beat her in the primary, and the DNC will make sure she gets all the funds she needs to keep her seat. None of this, of course, is Maxine’s fault, that’s just the system. To me, that is a great arguement for term limits!
If we have to make a constitutional change, it should be campaign finance reform, not term limits. Protecting free speech does not mean “dark money” should be able to buy off politicians.
Agree 100%. If all citizens had an equal shot at running for office then we wouldn’t need term limits at all. It would also probably mean people like Rep. Waters would be more likely to lose their seats if they didn’t choose to change with the times.
Nice story. Ms. Waters is a corrupt racist politician who bailed out her husbands bank and funnels millions of dollars to her daughter through “consulting” contracts. Her district ( which she doesn’t live in ) is a hellhole of crime and illegals. She is the poster child for term limits.
And Democrats wonder why they have a 21% approval rating?
How do you know this ? Have you checked everyone’s status in her district personally ? Where do you get your information? Maybe we should all post where we get our facts from when we post/reply to political stuff.
I can confirm. America is correct.
She is an embarrassment to Democrats with her rhetoric. And much of what is wrong with politics and the lack of term limits. But to be fair, plenty of Republicans meet that same description as well.
As for having an intelligent conversation with her, unless it involved grifting and blaming everything on racism, I’m sure it was very one sided.
Why is she not at a gas-o-line station?
Just before the pandemic started, I waited in a long airport line behind a US Senator. I wonder if she was disappointed that nobody recognized her. No smiles, waves, or conversation despite that she was looking around. Finally, I talked with her. Her first question was whether I was a constituent! At the end, I asked her to autograph my boarding pass.
I ran into Maxine Waters at the Dulles Precheck checkpoint once, she would’ve left her carry-on behind if I didn’t run after her and tell her to go get her bag
as a relatively new reader to LALF, I was drawn to the linked article about Matthew’s father’s passing last fall.
You are a class act, Matthew, and it isn’t hard to see why.
Democracies always work best when there are lots of voices. While Maxine Waters may have been effective as have others of long tenure, we owe to younger people to allow their voices to be head and for the political machines to provide the mechanism for younger representatives and senators to peddle their ideas (and hopefully those of their constituents) in Washington.
It is great to hear debates about issues of voting for reps w/ newborns.
Thanks, Tim.
“If you see anybody from that cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd, and you push back on them, and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere.”
I will let you look up that quote, Matthew. Or perhaps you already knew about it, and agree with it.
Strongly disagree with it. As I said, there is far more disagreement with Waters than agreement.
She’s the epitome of a DC Swamp Creature and an unabashed racist.
The country needs less of her.
Wow, lots of comments calling Maxine Waters a racist. If you want to start naming racists, maybe you guys should start with Donald Trump and his imbecile cabinet members trying to erase black history from the Smithsonian and actively attacking vulnerable communities instead of supporting them. This comment coming from a white man, disgusted by the faux Christian nationalists who should more accurately be called racist.
By “actively attacking vulnerable communities,” you mean deporting illegal aliens and protecting confused children from abuse and castration?
That‘s the maga narrative to justify their hate and intolerance. Let me make it a bit clearer for you.
I have no problem with deporting illegal aliens with due process. This whole Trump theatre being used to terrorize legal and yes sometimes illegal migrant communities is not the principles built in to America’s constitution.
Also, taking an objective look at the situation, most of the migrants from South America have followed their (what was once our grandfather’s and grandmother’s) American dream to provide a better life for their families; incorporating themselves into our communities, paying taxes on jobs most Americans refuse to do.
Regarding your second point in the Trans issue. I too, as a very liberal white make, do not find it appropriate for children in their teens to make rash decisions on their bodies which may later play out to be regretted. Or possibly not. We do however owe these teens our compassion to listen to their feelings and provide objective counseling allowing for a time when someone is perhaps 21 then to have that choice.
Unfortunately, the radical right doesn’t believe in science or health matters, pushing fake theories and claims. Leaving vulnerable people without a way to get any form of counseling, other than some outlandish BS which has nothing to do with reality or proven facts
Who, Pope Donald? No way!
Another American gerontocrat, selfishly clinging to power long past her use-by date. The Congress is full of them, hanging around through their late 70s, into their 80s, and on into their 90s at times, and for what? Their own personally vanity, that’s what. Once you turn 70, it’s time to step aside and let someone else have their turn. It’s not all about you, gramps.
Maybe next…lunch with Steny Hoyer.
I can’t believe I waste my time reading this blog anymore.
I ran into Steny walking his dog near the Capitol. Nice guy.
Just leave. You don’t need to announce your departure Chad. It’s not an airport.
FYI: FY25 GSA contracts:
LAX-DCA: AA. YCA: $400,_CA: $180.
LAX-IAD: UA. YCA: $457, _CA: $229.
She has not worked a real job one day of her life and has lived exclusively on the government dole. She’s a busy lady, though – always inciting political violence, race-baiting, or laundering money to her family members.
I would have loved to hear the conversation you two had. Love her or hate her the woman is a true icon.
When I saw the headline I almost didn’t click in because I knew that hatred, stupidity, racism, and ignorance would be proudly on display in the comments. Sadly my concerns were valid.
Cool encounter. One thing we can all agree on . I want to meet AOC and let her know 1+1=3.
The MAGA racism against Ms. Waters here is sad & stunning. I would have thanked her for her service to the USA.
Term limits are absolutely essential. Senile dinosaurs have no place running the show.