Here are some highlights from my weekly readings.
Written by Charles Sykes, politikoMarch 20, 2024.
excerpt:
In the speech, Roosevelt put his oratorical skills to use against three powerful Republican isolationist leaders. New York State Representative Bruce Barton, a conservative advertising man who founded the advertising agency BBDO. and the aristocratic New York Congressman Hamilton Fish III, who opposed measures to rearm the nation and aid victims of Hitler's invasion.
The first draft of the speech listed the names Burton, Fish, and Martin alphabetically. But during a late-night writing session, FDR and speechwriters Robert Sherwood and Samuel Rosenman came up with a more rhythmic option. Martin, Burton, Fish. Roosevelt quickly understood the new rhyming couplet.as an assistant I remembered it later„The president repeated this sequence several times and demonstrated by waving his finger how effective it was for the audience.''
At Madison Square Garden, Roosevelt was clearly enjoying the moment. He looked at the list of Republican senators who had voted against a bill to lift the arms embargo on victims of the Nazi invasion. Then he stopped and smiled. Who else would have voted against that bill? he asked. “Now, wait,” said the President, “a perfectly beautiful rhythm — Congressman. Martin, Burton, and Fish. ”
he meant it to sound like a nursery rhyme Winken, Blinken, and Nod. done. It was the second time that night that he said his name aloud in that distinctive growl –Martin, Burton, Fish — rallygoers chanted the name with him. A few nights later in Boston, FDR deployed the trio again, and each time he mentioned Martin, the crowd screamed.Burton and Fish! ” The three die-hards quickly became famous and chants were sung. Martin, Burton, Fish It became the soundtrack for the 1940 campaign.
I quote this not to endorse FDR's actions, but to point out what a wise politician he was.
I suspect some Republican „isolationists“ (i.e., those who want to keep the United States out of other people's wars) could use similar tactics. They have a head start. The article above mentions „Winken, Blinken, Nod.“ Biden has Secretary of State Antony Blinken. And then there's Biden himself. Is it possible that Rand Paul, one of the most consistent opponents of participating in foreign wars, will start referring to „Biden, Blinken, Harris“? It has a certain ring to it.
Written by C. Jarrett Dieterle; reasonMarch 23, 2024.
excerpt:
As cider became less well-known, bucolic country apple orchards became less important to the American lifestyle. But the apple was already in decline across the nation's cultural landscape, and it was the U.S. government that made it happen. coup d'etat To this noble fruit.
When Prohibition went into effect in 1920, not only alcohol but also the raw materials used to make alcohol became the people's worst enemy. smithsonian magazine FBI agents conducted a recount. cut down He planted acres of apple orchards in the hinterlands, „effectively erasing cider from American life.“
Written by Mark Twain
excerpt:
Then began the „long“ prayer. No one remembers words so passionate, so appealing, so moving and beautiful. The burden of that plea was that the Father of us all, ever merciful and merciful, would watch over these noble young soldiers and aid, comfort, and encourage them in their patriotic work. Bless them, protect them in the day of battle and in time of danger, carry them in your mighty hands, make them strong and confident, make them invincible in bloody beginnings. Help them crush their enemies and give them, their flag and country immortal honor and glory –
Then a stranger came and said to the congregation:
“You heard the Servant’s Prayer, the part that was uttered. I will put into words the other part, the part that the pastor and you prayed fervently and silently in your hearts. And ignorantly and unconsciously? Admit it! You have heard the words, „Lord our God, give us victory!“ That's enough. The entirety of the prayers uttered are condensed into the words of the pregnancy. No detailed explanation was needed. When you pray for victory, you pray for many unmentioned consequences that follow victory – you must follow it, you cannot help but follow it. The silent parts of prayer were also poured out by the listening Spirit of God the Father. He commanded me to put it into words. listen!
“O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go into battle. May You be near them! With them, spiritually. , we too will come out of the sweet peace of our beloved hearth and defeat our enemies. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers bloody with our shells. Help us to cover their smiling fields with the dead and pale forms of their patriots. Help us to drown out the sounds of gunfire with the shrieks of the wounded in agony. Help me. Help me destroy their humble homes in a hurricane of fire. Help me to clench the hearts of innocent widows with hopeless grief. Help them as they wander without friends in a desolate land of rags, hunger, and thirst; their spirits broken, weary with toil, pleading, exposed to the blaze of the summer sun and the cold winds of winter. .Have made Thee the refuge of the grave, and denied it—Lord, for us who worship Thee, blow away their hopes, ruin their lives, prolong their bitter pilgrimage, Make their steps heavy, water their paths with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We are the source of love, of suffering, of humble and contrite hearts. In a spirit of love, we ask God, the eternal and faithful refuge and friend of all who seek His help in their lives. Amen.“ (I have emphasized the part about unintended but inevitable consequences) .)
Of course the man was a lunatic.