"We are taught to understand correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fear"..... Senator John McCain,
Political courage is Congressman Raskin, while not my congressman he has made me proud, President Bidens heart. He understands the fight we are in politically and trying to save the working and poor despite all the pundits and Republicans and some Democrats and yes some News Anchors criticism daily. He stands his ground.
The republican party is devoid of courage and honesty and the democratic party does not know how to take positive accomplishments to the people; so we have dishonesty and ineptness. Good luck America.
I am more curious about why the public rewards political cowardice. I never have an issue when a politician learns new information and changes their position. I think intransigence has become synonymous with courage. Very regrettable for our country. Conversations like this make it difficult to feel hopeful. I wish us all well.
I think the Republican Party is full of cowards and greedy people .. not talking about Adam or Liz! They have made it clear where they stand!! They are the brave ones….
Very true words, Ari. Political courage begins with speaking up, but continues with real national leadership toward world peace and the healing of our planet. You can't just speak up when it's convenient.
Unfortunately, in recent times there have been few members of either party who put the welfare of the country above their own personal interests. More and more of late we have seen that power corrupts and absolute power totally corrupts!
These Republicans don't know courage. All they know is the teat. Self-enrichment and lies about the way we were. How can we expect courage from folks who don't understand sacrifice? Once you have no soul, what is there to sacrifice?
Ari, the one, special moment I used to love about Senator Robert Byrd, when speaking on the floor, was when he would reach inside his left coat pocket, pull out his worn, brown, leather-bound book of The U.S. Constitution and wave it into the air, while making his points. I think “The Preamble” is a great guide for courage. I agree with you on Pence and the others. I found it offensive, when some reporters were hailing him a saint, about something he was backed into a corner to do. He was still trying to do wrong by our Constitution, even AFTER former V.P. Quayle had advised him, “Mike, you have no flexibility and to put it away!” Now, we know retired Justice Michael Luttig had to intervene, also. Yes, courage is grossly lacking in our political sphere today, and Civics is much needed back into the schools; but it will probably take a Robert Byrd to fight for it.
Ari, thanks for your newsletter…I look forward to reading your newsletters and I enjoy them😄
About Pence breaking from Trump: I wasn’t one of those that hailed him being courageous. His breaking from Trump after the fact is called “ Medicine after death.”
I don’t trust anyone from the GOP as they have demonstrated time and time again that they are selfish and anti democratic. They definitely don’t have any political courage just personal agendas
When push comes to shove, Bill Barr, the henchman resigned before the end of term and that says all you need to know about Bill Barr.
I didn’t buy or read John Bolton’s book (not interested) and also didn’t listen to anything that he had to say in his TV appearances.
As Rachel Maddow has said, watch what they do, not what they say. - Rachel is so right…action speaks louder than words. We need people and elected officials that don’t have a problem calling a spade, a spade ♠️
For years there have been Congressmen (and women) who seemed to spend their terms trying to get reelected instead of accomplishing anything for the country. Then Trump came along and it's like these same people lost all sense of morality. It's sad that having common sense *is* political courage now. Once Kinzinger and Cheney were censured...well, there's just no coming back from that ridiculousness.
As for the left, I'd like to see more courage but...at least they don't deny reality?
My father was a soldier, so I know what it is like to have a loved one go to war. A lot of men and women that risk their lives to protect our freedoms, our country, show true courage even if they are scared when going into battle. I don’t want to see a war with Russia, but that is not why I make these statements. Some of those that send these men and women to war, many whom have never experienced it themselves, show not an ounce of courage to do the right thing our country.
Humanity has turned it’s back on humanity, we seem to be more antisocial these days as we constantly communicate through zoom, and the pandemic has pushed us further into our own secluded dwellings. So, how do we expect our politicians to care about anything but the power, monetary acquisitions, and playing a role like an actor on the world stage that gives them celebrity status? Ari, you are right, it will only take a few good people, but I fear they have all decided that being in politics is not worth the hassle, fake narratives, and scrutiny that comes with the job.
We should not give up hope because if we do, we are all doomed to watch our country disintegrate into a country of chaos. We must fight the powers that be. We must lift those people who have the moral fortitude and courage to stand for democratic principles. Most importantly that they must have a conscious that acts for the people they represent which means there are times they have to make the hard unpopular decisions.
"We are taught to understand correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fear"..... Senator John McCain,
Political courage is Congressman Raskin, while not my congressman he has made me proud, President Bidens heart. He understands the fight we are in politically and trying to save the working and poor despite all the pundits and Republicans and some Democrats and yes some News Anchors criticism daily. He stands his ground.
The republican party is devoid of courage and honesty and the democratic party does not know how to take positive accomplishments to the people; so we have dishonesty and ineptness. Good luck America.
Hi Ari. I truly don't care if their Dems or Reps. Just wished they would do & vote what is Best for USA. enough of the BS. They all can be replaced.
I am more curious about why the public rewards political cowardice. I never have an issue when a politician learns new information and changes their position. I think intransigence has become synonymous with courage. Very regrettable for our country. Conversations like this make it difficult to feel hopeful. I wish us all well.
We need good people and good public servants to standup and counted right now...!!!
I think the Republican Party is full of cowards and greedy people .. not talking about Adam or Liz! They have made it clear where they stand!! They are the brave ones….
Very true words, Ari. Political courage begins with speaking up, but continues with real national leadership toward world peace and the healing of our planet. You can't just speak up when it's convenient.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!JIM JORDAN,AND ALL OF HIS CROWD.BEWARE....
Unfortunately, in recent times there have been few members of either party who put the welfare of the country above their own personal interests. More and more of late we have seen that power corrupts and absolute power totally corrupts!
These Republicans don't know courage. All they know is the teat. Self-enrichment and lies about the way we were. How can we expect courage from folks who don't understand sacrifice? Once you have no soul, what is there to sacrifice?
Ari, the one, special moment I used to love about Senator Robert Byrd, when speaking on the floor, was when he would reach inside his left coat pocket, pull out his worn, brown, leather-bound book of The U.S. Constitution and wave it into the air, while making his points. I think “The Preamble” is a great guide for courage. I agree with you on Pence and the others. I found it offensive, when some reporters were hailing him a saint, about something he was backed into a corner to do. He was still trying to do wrong by our Constitution, even AFTER former V.P. Quayle had advised him, “Mike, you have no flexibility and to put it away!” Now, we know retired Justice Michael Luttig had to intervene, also. Yes, courage is grossly lacking in our political sphere today, and Civics is much needed back into the schools; but it will probably take a Robert Byrd to fight for it.
Ari, thanks for your newsletter…I look forward to reading your newsletters and I enjoy them😄
About Pence breaking from Trump: I wasn’t one of those that hailed him being courageous. His breaking from Trump after the fact is called “ Medicine after death.”
I don’t trust anyone from the GOP as they have demonstrated time and time again that they are selfish and anti democratic. They definitely don’t have any political courage just personal agendas
When push comes to shove, Bill Barr, the henchman resigned before the end of term and that says all you need to know about Bill Barr.
I didn’t buy or read John Bolton’s book (not interested) and also didn’t listen to anything that he had to say in his TV appearances.
As Rachel Maddow has said, watch what they do, not what they say. - Rachel is so right…action speaks louder than words. We need people and elected officials that don’t have a problem calling a spade, a spade ♠️
For years there have been Congressmen (and women) who seemed to spend their terms trying to get reelected instead of accomplishing anything for the country. Then Trump came along and it's like these same people lost all sense of morality. It's sad that having common sense *is* political courage now. Once Kinzinger and Cheney were censured...well, there's just no coming back from that ridiculousness.
As for the left, I'd like to see more courage but...at least they don't deny reality?
Yes
My father was a soldier, so I know what it is like to have a loved one go to war. A lot of men and women that risk their lives to protect our freedoms, our country, show true courage even if they are scared when going into battle. I don’t want to see a war with Russia, but that is not why I make these statements. Some of those that send these men and women to war, many whom have never experienced it themselves, show not an ounce of courage to do the right thing our country.
Humanity has turned it’s back on humanity, we seem to be more antisocial these days as we constantly communicate through zoom, and the pandemic has pushed us further into our own secluded dwellings. So, how do we expect our politicians to care about anything but the power, monetary acquisitions, and playing a role like an actor on the world stage that gives them celebrity status? Ari, you are right, it will only take a few good people, but I fear they have all decided that being in politics is not worth the hassle, fake narratives, and scrutiny that comes with the job.
We should not give up hope because if we do, we are all doomed to watch our country disintegrate into a country of chaos. We must fight the powers that be. We must lift those people who have the moral fortitude and courage to stand for democratic principles. Most importantly that they must have a conscious that acts for the people they represent which means there are times they have to make the hard unpopular decisions.
I have hope. Thanks for this piece, Ari.