I found this on Michael Gates’ Twists & Turns and think it deserves a wider audience:
“We must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent or omniscient - that we are only 6 percent of the world’s population; that we cannot impose our will upon the other 94 percent of mankind; that we cannot right every wrong or reverse each adversity; and therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.”
John F. Kennedy
Which is, of course, true, but it only goes to show that whatever a politician says, his words are not imbued with longevity. The next guy, or the guy after that will probably turn them upside down.
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Jan 16th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
If you want to solve the world’s problems, let them finish the fence between Texas and Mexico.
Then let New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana each build an extension along their borders with Texas. Declare the state an occupied territory and send all the politicians there to Gitmo. (Might as well put it to good use while it’s open.) Problem solved. No more presidents from Texas. Sorry, Mr. Cheney, but we ain’t buying your Jackson Hole, Wyoming story after all that time spent at Halliburton. I’m afraid you have to go, too.
I mean come on. Vietnam? LBJ. Iraq? W. Where are they from?
I rest my case.
jb says: You ever sent anyone to the White House from Cincinnati, Jim?
Jan 16th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Taft, a progressive-era Republican and follower of Teddy Roosevelt (before their 1912 falling out), was from Cincinnati. If one must have Republicans, progressives like Taft and company aren’t a bad sort–though there were some unfortunate events in Mexico and Nicaragua, he tended to diplomacy through treaty rather than force.
jb says: So Mexico and Nicaragua have been getting the short stick for some time, then, Michael.
Jan 16th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
It’s worth remembering too that Kennedy’s views on America’s potential involvement in Indochina were far from pacific.
jb says: Yes, I remember.
Jan 16th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
“You ever sent anyone to the White House from Cincinnati, Jim?”
Yeah, Taft. In 1909. And then Warren Harding pretty much insured there won’t likely be another Ohio president in the foreseeable future. After the debacle that was Governor Bob Taft’s administration, it’s not bloody likely we’ll get another Taft elected soon, either.
jb says: Is there anyone on the horizon looks like they might be able to do the job. Someone who might represent the majority of American opinion. Or is that too much to ask?
Jan 18th, 2007 at 5:02 am
Ah, how true, how true. John - you seem to have just the right quote for just the right times. Thank you, as always.
jb says: Hi Callie. These particular times make it easier than it might be.