So, as may not shock anybody who talks politics with me, I’m libertarian. As such, I tend to read Reason magazine. This is just something libertarian types do. Living in the DC area, I have occasion to come into contact with several writers of said magazine when they have a happy hour, as occurred tonight. I also participate in a forum for readers of Reason’s excellent blog, Hit & Run.

So imagine my surprise when talking with Kerry Howley, whose writing is literally award-winning, she mentions that she recognized me from my “disparaging comments” on said forum.

“Bwah?” I said, with all the articulate intelligence at my disposal.

“Yeah, you said how young I was.”

Oh, yeah…that.

Guilty. I’d said in the context of some discussion or other (that I can’t find now) that despite Kerry’s very serious picture and writing, she was, I believe my phrase was, “so *frigging young*.”

Now, admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve been in my early 20s, but I should have remembered that several of my acquaintances had issues being taken seriously when they first started out because they were perceived as too young (I, on the other hand, have looked like I’m in my mid-30s, so lucky for me I’m finally there).

All I can say is, it totally was meant as more of a shock, because–let’s face it–most early-20s-types you meet do not write sophisticated and entertaining rants on the the IWF discovering prostitution is called “sex work”. But I can see how she might take it as general assholery from a geriatric.

As a word of advice from the wisdom of my advanced years, let me suggest a comeback if anyone ever condescendingly says, “Oh, you’ll change your mind when you’re older.” Just say, “Only if I get early-onset dementia.”

So true to my word, here’s my public apology and chance for Kerry to take a free shot. I suggest something about looking spry for my age.