Retirement Talk
WHAT to do with the rest of your life? |
|
|
Episode 151 Venturing into Politics
“You lie”, shouted some guy from
South Carolina
. The president paused and
looked in the direction of the interruption. Then he went on. It was a
memorable occasion. We aren’t use to our president being disrespected while
speaking to a joint session of congress.
This is Retirement Talk. I’m Del Lowery.
“Foul” became the cry of the land; at least half the land.
Some folks liked the shout out. Political discussions raged across the land
concerning this method of disapproval. We would like to think of our politics
as being conducted in a civil fashion; though we all know that it isn’t true.
“What is this country coming to when we treat each other
with such animosity?” I head many people say. Similar thoughts were banned about
endlessly. This Pollyanna belief in the way we have conducted our politics in
the past is wishful thinking. Perhaps we haven’t had an exact copy of this most
recent outburst but we have had our moments.
I’m thinking back to my junior high history class where I
first encountered the story of an exchange between a Senator Sumner and a
Congressman
Brooks
– ironically Brooks was from
South
Carolina
. The debate over slavery was raging across
America
and in
the Senate. Sumner had delivered a stinging speech that accused Brook's uncle,
who was a senator, of all sorts of ill doing – politically and personally. In
response Brooks entered the senate with a large, strong cane (it was more like
a club) and with a friend standing guard to keep people from intruding he beat
Sumner unconscious. Sumner ended up bleeding and crumpled up under his desk. He
never recovered. He died the following year. Now that is taking political
differences a little too far.
In our own memories are the dirty tricks campaign conducted
by President Nixon. The nickname “tricky Dick” was well earned. He treated
other politicians and the American public to acts that were not only unethical
but were flat out illegal. Then there was the impeachment of President Clinton.
A casual, ill-conceived and ill conducted liaison with a Whitehouse intern
ended in the embarrassing and harassing impeachment process. No question, what
he did was wrong. But the relentless pursuit was no less questionable. I’m sure
someone is thinking; “The impeachment was over his lying under oath concerning
the affair’. He lied and we can’t have a person who lies as our president.”
When it comes to sexual affair, I can’t imagine many men doing anything
differently. His lie would not lead to American soldiers dying, or financial
system crumbling, our privacy being invaded, or our constitution being
undefended. For most of our history a presidents sexual escapades have remained
unreported by the press. Only recently have we become so sensitive, and all
invasive.
The assassination of Caesar on the floor of the Roman Senate
leaps into my mind at the moment. I mean, that was aggressive behavior. Then I think of all the stories of Kings and
Queens
in history who schemed and killed their way to
power. Politics has a long history and civility seems to live more in the
politics of the mind than in reality.
This podcast has tried to avoid the topic of politics
throughout its three year existence. It has not been easy. Politics is a topic
that retired people have plenty of time to discuss. We have time for reading
something not related to our business or employment. We have time for listening
to news on an extended schedule. We have time to work in political campaigns.
We have time to read history books and biography. From this time on politics
will be fair game. Its a big part of retirement.
This is Retirement Talk.
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from.
A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops.
Copyright 2010 RetirementTalk.org
|
|
