tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post888688884287082551..comments2023-07-15T02:18:38.947-07:00Comments on Contrarian Views: The Leader we need is the Leader we've gotDavid M. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15720778073616293157noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-73349372881315364902007-11-02T08:06:00.000-07:002007-11-02T08:06:00.000-07:00HE CONTEMPLATES THE MAPS OF WARRiding the warm air...HE CONTEMPLATES THE MAPS OF WAR<BR/><BR/>Riding the warm air rising, so<BR/>He hardly moves his wings<BR/>But soars majestic o´er us, though<BR/>We be paupers or kings.<BR/><BR/>He glides, he seems to hover, for<BR/>How long, upon the swell<BR/>Maintains suspended stillness o´er<BR/>The scene--is hard to tell.<BR/><BR/>The occupant of this or that<BR/>High office, occupied--<BR/>Preoccupied--with business at<BR/>His desk knows no such glide.<BR/><BR/>Though he be head of state or have<BR/>No pressing need or want,<BR/>Yet e´en a ruler is a slave,<BR/>This current occupant:<BR/><BR/>A slave to habits of the mind,<BR/>No better, maybe worse<BR/>Than such with nature intertwined--<BR/>And yet he never soars.<BR/><BR/>The rodent in the field has little<BR/>Foreknowledge--apprehension<BR/>Perhaps; but man is brittle<BR/>Dwelling within his tension.<BR/><BR/>He contemplates the progress of<BR/>The war without a thought<BR/>To eagles in the sky above<BR/>Or rodents talon-caught.<BR/><BR/>He has not the serenity--<BR/>Engaged in guilty cause--<BR/>Of nature, as conception free,<BR/>In breaking human laws.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-9751693729747146352007-07-18T08:43:00.000-07:002007-07-18T08:43:00.000-07:00Hi Rusty,Most good writers are very good at contra...Hi Rusty,<BR/><BR/>Most good writers are very good at contrasting and comparing. Peggy Noonan focused on the aspects of wars that were similar and the aspects of the Presidents that ware different. You make a good point that all four wars were different, with the Civil War and WWII both being much more deadly than the war in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>I don’t agree with Noonan’s criticism. In my opinion, a leader does not change his or her demeanor based on the outcome of events anymore than a golfer should change demeanor based on the outcome of a single shot or a single hole. A leader needs to be resolute, positive, determined, and if possible, cheerful, regardless of results. <BR/><BR/>President Bush, and his enduring demeanor, is the perfect leader during a time in history when the American public has lost heart. Peggy Noonan sounds like she always wants to be on the winning team or she wants her leader to jump on his sword. I am comfortable being on the losing side when I am on the right side. I do wish President Bush was more successful as President, but I am more concerned that he maintains the right position.David M. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15720778073616293157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10512467.post-91837511027244925352007-07-17T21:34:00.000-07:002007-07-17T21:34:00.000-07:00Noonan is complaining because Dubya doesn't exhibi...Noonan is complaining because Dubya doesn't exhibit signs of strain or stress. Yet the comparisons are not proper (imo). Lincoln was President during the Civil War - a war which literally decimated our country. FDR was President during a war which, while not as bloody (on a per capita basis) as the Civil War, it had the potential to end the U.S. Johnson was President during tumultuous times and for a war that was, in reality, unnecessary (i.e., what real threat to the U.S. was North Vietnam?). Some may argue that Iraq was no threat, but the difference here is that the enemy, and his tactics, go far beyond Iraq.Rustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04649535070603621577noreply@blogger.com