The Autobiography of Theodore Roosevelt-
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in seeing the world from the point of view of probably one of the greatest men in history. I read 20-30 pages every night before I go to bed and although at times it is quite slow-going, it is rarely uninteresting. If I had been more clever I would have attached a holster to the spine of the book for the purpose of keeping a highlighter handy because he consistently saying notable things about life that are not only interesting and useful but also worded concisely. There is a paragraph that I read on Monday that explains his frame of mind regarding internal affairs as he is beginning his position as president after the assassination of President McKinley. He says:
In internal affairs, I cannot say that I intered the Presidency with any deliberately planned and far-reaching scheme of social betterment. I had, however, certain strong convictions; and I was on the lookout for every opportunity of realizing those convictions. I was bent upon making the Goverment the most efficient possible instrument in helping the people of the United States to better themselves in every way, politically, socially, and industrially. I believed with all my heart in real and thoroughgoing democracy, and I wished to make this democracy industrial as well as political, although I had only partially formulated the methods I believed we should follow. I believed in the people's rights, and therefore in National rights and States' rights just exactly to the degree in which they severally secured popular rights. I believed in invoking the National power with absolute freedom for every National need; and I believed that the Constitution should be treated as the greatest document ever devised by the wit of man to aid a people in exercising every power necessary for its own betterment, and not as a straightjacket cunningly fashioned to strangle growth. As for the particular methods of realizing these various beliefs, I was content to wait and see what method might be necessary in each given case as it arose; and I was certain that the cases would arise fast enough.
After I reading this I thought it was a fantastic way to look at things. It seems like in America today the democrats are criticized for not having a plan of action for the future. However, I'm with Teddy on this one. Why is it so important to have a plan of action? What is wrong with a set of convictions, and an eagerness to apply them to situations that arise? I mean, isn't that why people like the democratic party? Because they believe in things like helping out the little guy, people's rights over business' rights, freedom of choice, etc.? The biggest flaw in this logic is that the democrats need a plan to resolve the war in Iraq, which is, afterall, the end result of a stupid man with a stupid plan. After Bush's 6 years of bumbling initiative, any candidate who promises to apologize publicly for Bush, bring the troops home, and just be clever and humanistic about whatever problems arise in the future has my vote.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in seeing the world from the point of view of probably one of the greatest men in history. I read 20-30 pages every night before I go to bed and although at times it is quite slow-going, it is rarely uninteresting. If I had been more clever I would have attached a holster to the spine of the book for the purpose of keeping a highlighter handy because he consistently saying notable things about life that are not only interesting and useful but also worded concisely. There is a paragraph that I read on Monday that explains his frame of mind regarding internal affairs as he is beginning his position as president after the assassination of President McKinley. He says:
In internal affairs, I cannot say that I intered the Presidency with any deliberately planned and far-reaching scheme of social betterment. I had, however, certain strong convictions; and I was on the lookout for every opportunity of realizing those convictions. I was bent upon making the Goverment the most efficient possible instrument in helping the people of the United States to better themselves in every way, politically, socially, and industrially. I believed with all my heart in real and thoroughgoing democracy, and I wished to make this democracy industrial as well as political, although I had only partially formulated the methods I believed we should follow. I believed in the people's rights, and therefore in National rights and States' rights just exactly to the degree in which they severally secured popular rights. I believed in invoking the National power with absolute freedom for every National need; and I believed that the Constitution should be treated as the greatest document ever devised by the wit of man to aid a people in exercising every power necessary for its own betterment, and not as a straightjacket cunningly fashioned to strangle growth. As for the particular methods of realizing these various beliefs, I was content to wait and see what method might be necessary in each given case as it arose; and I was certain that the cases would arise fast enough.
After I reading this I thought it was a fantastic way to look at things. It seems like in America today the democrats are criticized for not having a plan of action for the future. However, I'm with Teddy on this one. Why is it so important to have a plan of action? What is wrong with a set of convictions, and an eagerness to apply them to situations that arise? I mean, isn't that why people like the democratic party? Because they believe in things like helping out the little guy, people's rights over business' rights, freedom of choice, etc.? The biggest flaw in this logic is that the democrats need a plan to resolve the war in Iraq, which is, afterall, the end result of a stupid man with a stupid plan. After Bush's 6 years of bumbling initiative, any candidate who promises to apologize publicly for Bush, bring the troops home, and just be clever and humanistic about whatever problems arise in the future has my vote.
posted by J.B.K. at 4:20 PM
5 Comments:
I think if there were any person in the democratic party who could be convinced to read this entire post on the airwaves word for word as you have written it, including the quote from the book, they would pretty much be instantly shot to the top of the party, and since you wrote it... wait... hold on a second... Jimmy Kettler PRESIDENT! ... or at least Jimmy Kettler SPEECH WRITER FOR THE PRESIDENT!
If you want to learn even more about TR, I highly recommend the two volume biography by Enmund Morris. The first book "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" and the second, "Theodore Rex" comprise the most difinitive and thorough examination of TR ever written. I may have them if you want to borrow them, next time you stop by.
TR was a progressive republican (is there any such animal today?). Even though I'm a rabid democrat, I'd vote for TR today if I could!
well even eisenhower believed in healthcare for everyone. its only since the religious right got involved that the repubs have been out of control. jimmy you make me so proud being this smart. xoxoxo.
Yeah, JBK, you running for something? I'd vote for you--I've known you a long time.
How's it going?
Love,
Mom
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