"In every man there are two men, one base, one noble; and we shape our lives as we choose between them. The easy choice looks cheap; but the man defeated pays for as long as he lives. He who chooses to be brave and risk the price of it will die with glory or live with honor, seeing his sons inherit freedom and bowing to no master but the gods. This is our choice today."
Themistocles to the Greek captains before the Battle of Salamis in Mary Renault's Lion in the Gateway.
It's more than two thousand years later and woman aren't expected to stay behind and tend to their looms and their children while the men risk the battles and control the politics. I watched a special on a Coast Guard rescue during hurricane Sandy and both the chopper pilots were women. We have come a long way from ancient Athens but there's still a long way to go.
I'm happy with how the election turned out and I have no use for this decade's version of the Republican party. If the 'pubs don't want to go the way of the Federalists, the Know Nothings and the Whigs they could do worse than heed the old man's words.
We watched Republican candidates twist and turn for over a year as they tried to cater to this interest group or that interest group until the last man standing was nothing but an empty suit and his highly vaunted business record revealed a vulture capitalist of the worst kind. Now we watch the next generation plays a new game of Twister trying to make themselves semi relevant. With luck they'll just end up with sprained backs instead of votes.
3 comments:
It wouldn't break my heart if the Republican party reverted back to what it was, say, forty years ago. Since then, the GOP has adopted a policy of appealing to the basest common denominator--placing its faith in the idea that folks are much more likely to vote for the party that understands and protects their personal fear, prejudice and ignorance. Unfortunately, the GOP has had a lot of success with that strategy...but I think they've become too blatant about it and the electorate is starting to call them on it. Now we get to see whether the GOP will swing back to the center or self-destruct.
I'm getting really tired of mostly white, middle aged, zippers doing their Father Knows Best immitations. Keep it up guys. I almost, almost, feel sorry for Romney. He's been dropped like a four day old fish in July.
Twice I read that as Battle of Salami. I'm either getting old, or I am very hungry. ~Mary
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