Carolyn Dimmick Final PDF.indd - Washington Secretary of State

Dimmick: I do
Hughes: Pretty amazing what they can do.
Dimmick: Isn’t it!
Hughes: I thought it was a real blunder by John McCain to admit that he didn’t even know
how to open his own e-mail.
Dimmick: Listen! Bill Dwyer and I were the last to say that we would want a computer.
“We don’t need to,” we said. “We’ve got secretaries. We’re not going to do it.” Well, we
finally did it. And then when he was so sick and at home he was e-mailing everybody.
Hughes: It’s just amazing the amount of information you can find. However, the downside
of it is that there’s a ton of misinformation out there that people assume is the truth.
That’s why I always try to ask an interview subject, “Is this true?”
Dimmick: Exactly.
Hughes: So, summing up, any regrets at all about this career of yours?
Dimmick: No, I can’t imagine if I had stayed and worked at The P-I or sold men’s neckties
at Rhodes Department Store. I did that one Christmas too.
Hughes: You did?
Dimmick: Yes, I’ve always had some kind of a job. But, hey, I’ve had a fabulous run at my
career.
Hughes: Do you find this stimulating, still coming to work?
Dimmick: Oh sure. … I stayed home for a while when my husband was so sick. It’s so easy
to sit down and get used to watching “Antiques Roadshow” or Home & Garden TV, or just
read books and magazines and just kind of vegetate. I’ve known too many people who’ve
retired and died. … When I look at the Superior Court judges who are forced to retire, they
really, really think that I’ve got it great because I can go back and do whatever I want.
Hughes: In fact, Chief Justice Gerry Alexander —
Dimmick: He’s going to have to get out pretty soon.
Hughes: He is. And he’s as vital as ever. Talk about raconteur. I’ve never known a better
storyteller.
Dimmick: He’s great, a really nice guy.
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