In Losing Perhaps We Still Win

It is no secret that I am not very politically minded. Kilo tries to teach me the finer points of political debate but I prefer to halfheartedly listen and nod my head in appropriate rhythm. He is very passionate about politics and therefore I do try. I must confess though that I do enjoy reading what Peggy Noonan thinks about the world- we seem to share similar viewpoints- she is just much better at putting thoughts into words and then sending them out into the world. Her past article in no exception and after the last few months of not "playing so nice in the sandbox of Virginia blogs" I felt compelled to share some of her thoughts here. Perhaps her reasoning can act as a salve.

Noonan states that "In a way they(politicians) never tell the truth until the concession speech. That's when nothing they say can hurt them anymore. They're worn to the bone and they've been in a struggle and it's over, and suddenly some basic, rock-solid, dumb knowledge of what they've been involved in--a great nation's life--comes loose and declares itself..... Oh, that the new ones would carry in what the old ones have finally learned, or finally meant, or said."

She points out that we now have a divided government which she sees as a good thing and she encourages this new leadership to take care of "first things first". " Do all you can to keep America as safe as possible as long as possible. Make sure she's able to take a bad blow, a bad series of them. Much flows from this first thing, many subsets. Here is only one: Strengthen and modernize our electrical grid. When the bad thing comes we will need to be able to make contact with each other to survive together. Congress has ignored this for years.

Make America in the world as safe as possible by tending to and building our friendships in the world, by causing no unnecessary friction, by adding whatever possible and necessary emollients. In your approach to foreign affairs, rewrite Teddy Roosevelt: Speak softly, walk softly, and carry a big stick. "

This would be the speech she would give to the new government: "

At the end of the day, or the end of this day, I look at the new Congress and wish them so well, such luck. Don't you? I want to say: Go, Nancy Pelosi. Be the speaker of whom historians will write, in 2032, "This was her moment, here was the summit, here she found greatness." Go, Democrats, be great and serious. Go, minority Republicans, refind yourselves. Go, conservatives.

To the freshmen: Walk in as if you're walking out. Put your heart on your sleeve and go forward. Take responsibility, and love America. No one will think less of you. They will in fact think more, as they do of politicians after the concession speech.

To read all of Peggy Noonan's article click here.

Technorati : Peggy Noonan, Politics