"We are all inheritors, in one way or another."
This quote signifies that we are all connected as humans through shared histories, cultures, experiences, and knowledge passed down from our ancestors. It suggests that the impact of our past influences our present and shapes who we are today. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of recognizing and understanding this connection to create a more informed, empathetic, and unified society.
"The most important political question is never 'What is going to happen?' but 'What do we want to happen?'"
This quote underscores the importance of personal and collective agency in shaping society. It suggests that instead of passively observing political events, we should actively participate and engage with decisions about our future, focusing on our aspirations rather than just predicting outcomes. The message is to be proactive in defining what we desire from politics and our society, as this is ultimately the most significant question in determining our collective destiny.
"History, after all, is just a story – and the storytellers have power over the tale."
This quote emphasizes that history is not an objective, factual account but rather a narrative constructed by individuals or groups who interpret events based on their perspective and bias. The "storytellers" - historians, scholars, writers, and more - possess significant power in shaping the collective understanding of historical events and their impact on society. This power can shape public opinion, influence policy decisions, and even dictate cultural norms and values. Thus, it's essential to approach historical narratives with a critical mindset, acknowledging that each version presents a specific viewpoint rather than absolute truth.
"In any large organization, there comes a time when it's more important to be lucky than to be good."
This quote suggests that success in a large organization can be influenced not only by competence and skill (being "good"), but also by factors outside one's control such as timing, circumstances, or chance (being "lucky"). It implies that sometimes, the right opportunities, connections, or breaks at critical moments can have a greater impact on an organization's success than the abilities of its employees or management. However, it doesn't discount the importance of being good; rather, it acknowledges that in complex environments, luck plays a significant role as well.
"The real issue isn't whether we want change; every election is a vote for change. The real question is: What do we change, and how?"
This quote emphasizes that in every election, there is an inherent desire for change among the voters. However, it underscores that the crucial aspect is not just wanting change but understanding what needs to be changed and how the changes should be implemented. Essentially, it suggests that elections are about making informed decisions regarding the course of progress and improvement.
Men and women in my lifetime have died fighting for the right to vote: people like James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were murdered while registering black voters in Mississippi in 1964, and Viola Liuzzo, who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1965 during the Selma march for voting rights.
- Jeff Greenfield
One of the litmus tests for judicial conservatism is the idea of judicial restraint - that courts should give substantial deference to the decisions of the political process. When Congress and the president enact a law, conservatives generally say, judges should avoid 'legislating from the bench.'
- Jeff Greenfield
This is part of the involuntary bargain we make with the world just by being alive. We get to experiences the splendor of nature, the beauty of art, the balm of love and the sheer joy of existence, always with the knowledge that illness, injury, natural disaster, or pure evil can end it in an instant for ourselves or someone we love.
- Jeff Greenfield
In early 1961 a new president, John F. Kennedy, was told by military leaders and civilian officials that the Kingdom of Laos - of no conceivable strategic importance to the U.S. - required the presence of American troops and perhaps even tactical nuclear weapons. Why? Because if Laos fell, Asia would go red from Thailand to Indonesia.
- Jeff Greenfield
Think about one of the most powerful influences on a young child's life - the absence of a father figure. Look back on recent presidents, and you'll find an absent, or weak, or failed father in the lives of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
- Jeff Greenfield
It strikes me as a sound, honest statement for a prospective voter to say: 'Look, I haven't given this election a minute's thought, and it's just not fair for me to cancel out the vote of someone who actually gives a damn.' Indeed, it's not just sound and honest - it's the ethically responsible thing to do.
- Jeff Greenfield
By every measure, John Kennedy's sex life was compulsive and reckless. At one level, it had clear public consequences. Knowledge of Kennedy's behavior gave FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover absolute job security, as well as the potential power to derail Kennedy's re-election had he survived assassination.
- Jeff Greenfield
When Bill Clinton chose Al Gore in 1992 - from the same generational, ideological, and geographical background as his - it underscored his campaign's central argument that this was a clash between the past and the future, that 'Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow' was indeed the campaign's anthem.
- Jeff Greenfield
If the court strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act, is that a 'liberal' result enabling gay couples married in states where gay marriage is legal to enjoy the same economic advantages that federal laws now grant to straight couples? Or is it a 'conservative' ruling, limiting the federal government's ability to override state power?
- Jeff Greenfield
In the post-Watergate atmosphere of 1975 and 1976, the just-plain-folks personalities of both Ford and Carter seemed the perfect antidote to Nixon's arrogant, isolated presidency. But as alert history-minded readers know, Ford and Carter were both rebuffed by voters in their efforts to hold on to the presidency.
- Jeff Greenfield
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