I also thought the speech was good, within the limits of the politically possible. Keep the pressure on but try diplomacy. But what do I know, I’m just another silly leftist.
At the turn of the LAST century, Teddy Roosevelt said: “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.” That was in a day when communication between folks took days, not seconds, and “facebook” was actually folks standing face to face and communicating, or writing letters that required a degree of literacy, and intelligence.
Now, even a “casual off hand comment”, can carry huge significance as a threat of “big stick”, or a version of “walk softly”. The responding public has instant communication, and analysis from those telling them what to think, and how to object, to what they know nothing about, but they will accept blindly the rebuttal, without actual question.
Teddy was a Republican, and a Progressive, which with today’s “righties” was his greatest sin, well, maybe not just today, as he DID have to start the Bullmoose party when the base party didn’t like actually caring more about people, than corporations and the “One percenters”, who were far less than one precent back then.
To reject “My mind is made up don’t confuse me with facts”, or the ability to force change, is sound. Then reacting to those changes you’ve accomplished by letting the new situation WORK, is not “lying”, but it IS “statecraft” in today’s world. It also gets far fewer people killed in the long run.
sw10mm over 10 years ago
The bumbler strikes again.
Gypsy8 over 10 years ago
A complex fluid situation that is showing progress. The Monday morning quarterbacks should stick to football.
Odon Premium Member over 10 years ago
If the saber rattling serves to stop the need to employ the sabers that’s not waffling that’s carrying a big stick.
lonecat over 10 years ago
I also thought the speech was good, within the limits of the politically possible. Keep the pressure on but try diplomacy. But what do I know, I’m just another silly leftist.
Odon Premium Member over 10 years ago
Perhaps you can explain it to me…
Dtroutma over 10 years ago
At the turn of the LAST century, Teddy Roosevelt said: “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.” That was in a day when communication between folks took days, not seconds, and “facebook” was actually folks standing face to face and communicating, or writing letters that required a degree of literacy, and intelligence.
Now, even a “casual off hand comment”, can carry huge significance as a threat of “big stick”, or a version of “walk softly”. The responding public has instant communication, and analysis from those telling them what to think, and how to object, to what they know nothing about, but they will accept blindly the rebuttal, without actual question.
Teddy was a Republican, and a Progressive, which with today’s “righties” was his greatest sin, well, maybe not just today, as he DID have to start the Bullmoose party when the base party didn’t like actually caring more about people, than corporations and the “One percenters”, who were far less than one precent back then.
To reject “My mind is made up don’t confuse me with facts”, or the ability to force change, is sound. Then reacting to those changes you’ve accomplished by letting the new situation WORK, is not “lying”, but it IS “statecraft” in today’s world. It also gets far fewer people killed in the long run.
lonecat over 10 years ago
Just responding to your tone. I try to avoid engaging with the shrill voices, on either side.
Michael Peterson Premium Member over 10 years ago
I guess it’s easier to make cartoons if you don’t confuse yourself by actually listening to what the man has to say.