by Andy Weddington
Friday, 29 January 2016
Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount. Clare Boothe Luce
Two days ago at President Ronald Reagan's namesake airport in Washington, D.C., I bought a copy of USA TODAY.
I read it during a flight to Tampa.
Front section above the fold on page 7A was an "Our View" OPINION piece titled:
The closing paragraph...
"That said, someone who aspires to lead the United States of America has a responsibility to know the facts, be in touch with reality and be straight with the voters - not to create an alternate universe that attempts to enrage people, set them against each other and ride resentment into the White House."
I read that paragraph three times.
Conclusion...
So, thirteen paragraphs hammered candidate for president Mr. Trump.
The fourteenth nailed President Barack Obama.
Bizarre our reality.
That evening I shared the article with a Marine friend in Tampa - we were rallying to visit a Marine (a former commanding officer and friend courageously fighting for his life).
Listening to just the final paragraph my host said, "Sounds like Barack Obama.
Yep.
Sleep came easy.
Reveille was early. But before we departed for the less than hour road trip a call came that our old CO had died about 0230. We went anyway, meeting another Marine friend, to pay our respects to the family; honoring our CO.
We did not talk politics.
We did talk about the Marine. And, amongst other memories, we talked about (his) courage.
Tired from a long day I fell asleep during last evening's primetime GOP debate sans entertainer Mr. Trump.
The billionaire may lead polls but that decision to sit out hardly reflects the leadership necessary to lead America. Now (his) courage is in question and that absence cannot be in a president nor commander-in-chief.
However disappointing, Mr. Trump has offered a bit of truth - insight to (his) character.
The other candidates?
Less Mrs. Carly Fiorina, not impressive - for commenting, "...to beat Hillary Clinton...".
Are you kidding?
Again, courage.
Bizarre continues.
In primetime for absence of courage there's not a leader.
Optimism is giving way to apathy.
So, to repeat...
"That said, someone who aspires to lead the United States of America has a responsibility to know the facts, be in touch with reality and be straight with the voters - not to create an alternate universe that attempts to enrage people, set them against each other and ride resentment into the White House."
Thus, where is our leader?
Other than in the primetime lineup (and the opposing party)?
"Where's our president?"
Post Script
Colonel Donald J. Myers, USMC - a profile in courage, physically and morally - died. He as fine a Marine as any who bear our title and sport our emblem - since 10 November 1775.
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1 comment:
Thanks, Andy, for honoring the memory of Col Myers in your commentary. Those who were fortunate enough to have served with/for him know full well what a superb leader of men he was, and are deeply saddened at his untimely loss. Our hearts go out to his wonderful wife, "Ms. Grace," and the entire Myers family.
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