Granted, we've had a few less than admirable men to hold the Presidency throughout our history but something feels different now. There used to be an aura, a mystique connected to someone who became the President, does anyone think that today? Rather than elect people who exhibit qualities of wisdom and what used to be called "sobriety," Americans seem to be infatuated with candidates who play to their baser instincts. Every candidate on the horizon - from both Parties - just seem to be so...mediocre.
John Adams said: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Every day, we're proving Adams was right.
Until citizens demand better we'll continue to be presented with mediocre choices. I'm not particularly sanguine in my hopes for this happening, given the lack of understanding of basic civics in this Country. Hell, we have several generations of new voters who seem determined to disregard our founding precepts in order to "fundamentally transform" it.
There are moments when Trump causes me to cringe. This was clearly an unforced error. Not well thought through. That is a bit disturbing. The leader of the free world doesn't get to make mistakes like that. Yet, as you point out, his policies are generally good and the opposition's so bad it really should be a no brainer. But, behavior like this leaves him open to justified criticism.
BravoBlue is absolutely on point on both counts. I live in South Carolina and intended to attend yesterday's rally but for my flight schedule. I clearly prefer Trump's policies, but sometimes I cannot fathom his thought process. South Carolina, by far, is the most pro-military state I have lived in. The rally dramatically overflowed the arena at Coastal Carolina University. But his verbal harassment of the Haleys was off base, and politically may well cost him votes here and elsewhere. A "head shaker".
There are few people I have held as much dislike for as I once did for John Lucas who I now regard as one of my greatest friends. John and I were lawyers opposing one another in a case that meant the world to me. I was very intimidated by John because of his being a West Point graduate with an unbelievable Vietnam war record, never mind his exceptional skills as a lawyer. John was certainly the toughest adversary I ever encountered. I felt completely out of my depths. I think it was only the fact that I feared quitting more than I feared John that kept me moving forward in the case, which I won at trial but lost to John on appeal. I can’t say that we parted friends, but I can say that when we parted I had developed enormous respect for him. That was decades ago and on my part it was due to that respect that my heart softened and we have become good friends. Character counts, and even though our political orientations are almost polar opposites, I always listen to what John has to say because of his exemplary character. His well-written post about Biden and Trump illustrates what I came to so admire about John. When it comes to principles he’s uncompromising. It’s a tragedy we don’t have people like John Lucas running for the Presidency and are stuck with choices that no one wants to have to make. I’m sure that John and I will disagree on many things as long as we’re both around, but I will never doubt his moral compass. My father served in the Pacific in World War. He was part of the “Greatest Generation.” War is horrible and not something to be nostalgic about. And yet it has always been apparent to me that one of war’s few consolations besides victory is that those who return having served with distinction are generally leaders who can be counted upon. Even though I ultimately lost to John in our court case, I think that I could not help but ultimately embrace him as a great friend because in him I saw a vindication of that belief. For people like John, principles are not just “punchlines,” they are things worth sacrificing for. Ultimately that is what people are looking for in a leader, and it’s a tragedy that on the political landscape no one seems to be in sight.
Granted, we've had a few less than admirable men to hold the Presidency throughout our history but something feels different now. There used to be an aura, a mystique connected to someone who became the President, does anyone think that today? Rather than elect people who exhibit qualities of wisdom and what used to be called "sobriety," Americans seem to be infatuated with candidates who play to their baser instincts. Every candidate on the horizon - from both Parties - just seem to be so...mediocre.
John Adams said: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Every day, we're proving Adams was right.
Until citizens demand better we'll continue to be presented with mediocre choices. I'm not particularly sanguine in my hopes for this happening, given the lack of understanding of basic civics in this Country. Hell, we have several generations of new voters who seem determined to disregard our founding precepts in order to "fundamentally transform" it.
Thanks for your very thoughtful comment.
There are moments when Trump causes me to cringe. This was clearly an unforced error. Not well thought through. That is a bit disturbing. The leader of the free world doesn't get to make mistakes like that. Yet, as you point out, his policies are generally good and the opposition's so bad it really should be a no brainer. But, behavior like this leaves him open to justified criticism.
BravoBlue is absolutely on point on both counts. I live in South Carolina and intended to attend yesterday's rally but for my flight schedule. I clearly prefer Trump's policies, but sometimes I cannot fathom his thought process. South Carolina, by far, is the most pro-military state I have lived in. The rally dramatically overflowed the arena at Coastal Carolina University. But his verbal harassment of the Haleys was off base, and politically may well cost him votes here and elsewhere. A "head shaker".
I didn’t hear any crowd reaction to that on the YouTube video and am curious to know what people their thought, and observed.
There are few people I have held as much dislike for as I once did for John Lucas who I now regard as one of my greatest friends. John and I were lawyers opposing one another in a case that meant the world to me. I was very intimidated by John because of his being a West Point graduate with an unbelievable Vietnam war record, never mind his exceptional skills as a lawyer. John was certainly the toughest adversary I ever encountered. I felt completely out of my depths. I think it was only the fact that I feared quitting more than I feared John that kept me moving forward in the case, which I won at trial but lost to John on appeal. I can’t say that we parted friends, but I can say that when we parted I had developed enormous respect for him. That was decades ago and on my part it was due to that respect that my heart softened and we have become good friends. Character counts, and even though our political orientations are almost polar opposites, I always listen to what John has to say because of his exemplary character. His well-written post about Biden and Trump illustrates what I came to so admire about John. When it comes to principles he’s uncompromising. It’s a tragedy we don’t have people like John Lucas running for the Presidency and are stuck with choices that no one wants to have to make. I’m sure that John and I will disagree on many things as long as we’re both around, but I will never doubt his moral compass. My father served in the Pacific in World War. He was part of the “Greatest Generation.” War is horrible and not something to be nostalgic about. And yet it has always been apparent to me that one of war’s few consolations besides victory is that those who return having served with distinction are generally leaders who can be counted upon. Even though I ultimately lost to John in our court case, I think that I could not help but ultimately embrace him as a great friend because in him I saw a vindication of that belief. For people like John, principles are not just “punchlines,” they are things worth sacrificing for. Ultimately that is what people are looking for in a leader, and it’s a tragedy that on the political landscape no one seems to be in sight.
Great article John!!
Thanks!