intramuralist ™

Ah, yes… it’s that time of year where it’s time to announce our newfound resolve!

And also, yes, we all know the facts. While setting New Year’s resolutions is a fairly common practice, it isn’t necessarily a commonly sustained practice. According to Forbes based on a 2023 fall survey, the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. In fact, surrendering has become almost as common as setting, that there’s now a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures — such as “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” on January 17 or the second Friday in January, known to some as “Quitter’s Day.”

But alas, we will persevere. Or at least we will encourage the perseverance. 🙂

For me, it’s merely an opportunity… a clean slate… a new beginning… a chance to try something new or improve some aspect of my life’s journey.

Over the course of the last 4 years, for example — thanks to that resolve — I’ve started reading significantly more, began learning how to play the guitar, and also how to speak Spanish. Believe me — I am no expert, to which my musical and Latino friends would freely attest! I probably never will be. But there’s something in the learning and growth that has the potential to spur us on to what’s good and right and true.

And so we ask:

Where is an area you wish to grow?

What is a skill you’d like to learn?

What is a pattern you’d like to stop?

And/or what is a relationship you’d like to improve?

When I think of all the brokenness, digression and gunk in this world, I have little doubt there are aspects on each our journey’s worth some intentional improvement. Hence, for added encouragement, according once more to Forbes, the top New Year resolutions for 2024 are expected to be:

1. Improve fitness (cited by 48%)
2. Improve finances (38%)
3. Improve mental health )36%)
4. Lose weight (34%)
5. Improve diet (32%)
6. Make more time for loved ones (25%)
7. Stop smoking (12%)
8. Learn a new skill (9%)
9. Make more time for hobbies (7%)
10. Improve work-life balance (7%)
11. Travel more (6%)
12. Meditate regularly (5%)
13. Drink less alcohol (3)
14. Perform better at work (3%)

Again, for all of the above, at the beginning of 2024, this is an opportunity.

One tangent, editorial note: I bought a new song book over the holidays. It was great! And it was especially fun to play “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Away in the Manger.” Maybe next year I’ll even sing along in Spanish.

Maybe in something else.

Respectfully…

AR

As we come to the close of another year — and knowing the Intramuralist has a tremendous fondness for the question mark, as it’s the only punctuation piece that actually invites a response — what were those questions we most asked in the year now behind us? What did inquiring minds want to know?

Here are a top 50 actually asked in 2023:

1. A law that cancels cancel culture?
2. Are Labor Unions Effective?
3. Can Nikki Haley’s ‘Strategy of Conviction’ Beat Trump?
4. Do you think Deion Sanders is a role model for his players?
5. Does Chris Christie have a chance in 2024?
6. Has Pete Buttigieg’s Dream Job Turned Into a Nightmare?
7. How Big a Problem Is President Biden’s Age, Really?
8. How could a baseball player be worth $700 million?
9. How is Time Magazine’s Person of the Year decided?
10. How Popular Does Biden Need to Be to Beat Trump?
11. How popular is Joe Biden?
12. How unpopular is Joe Biden?
13. Hunter Biden: What are the charges against him?
14. Is 2024 the year for a third-party candidate to break through with dissatisfied voters?
15. Is a 12-Week Abortion Ban a ‘Reasonable Compromise’?
16. Is a 15-week limit on abortion an acceptable compromise?
17. Is Biden fit to serve a second term?
18. Is Biden vs. Trump the ‘Election We Need’?
19. Is Elon Musk The Greatest Leader On Earth?
20. Is Gavin Newsom running a ‘shadow campaign’ for US president?
21. Is Ibram X Kendi’s ‘Anti-Racism’ a Scam?
22. Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Over?
23. Is the United Nations still relevant and effective?
24. Is this the end for Bill Belichick in New England?
25. Is Vice President Kamala Harris a liability or an asset in 2024?
26. Nikki Haley: Who is the Republican presidential hopeful?
27. Pessimistic About Politics?
28. Should Biden Really Run Again?
29. Should Trump go to jail?
30. So what exactly makes Taylor Swift so great?
31. Was Oppenheimer a good person?
32. What about Hunter Biden?
33. What did Biden know about Hunter, and when did he know it?
34. What does the word ‘woke’ really mean, and where does it come from?
35. What Happened to Matthew Perry?
36. What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
37. What is going wrong with American higher education?
38. What is Hamas?
39. What Is Israel Trying to Accomplish?
40. What’s Causing the NFL’s QB Injury Crisis?
41. When Will Gas Prices Go Down?
42. When will gas prices stop rising?
43. When will inflation slow down?
44. Who is new House Speaker Mike Johnson?
45. Why are Biden and Bidenomics unpopular?
46. Why did Republicans vote to get rid of George Santos?
47. Why has Hunter Biden been indicted?
48. Will Hollywood Learn These 5 Lessons From ‘Barbie’?
49. Will The Chiefs Repeat?
50. Will there be any presidential debates in 2024?

Great questions, friends…

I can’t wait to see what we ask in 2024.

Respectfully…

AR

[Sources include but are not limited to: ABC, AP News, The Atlantic, Boston Herald, CBS, CNN, ESPN, Euronews, Financial Times, Forbes, The Guardian, Harvard Gazette, The Indian Express, Investopedia, Marginal Revolution, New York Magazine, New York Post, New York Times, NPR, NY1, Real Clear Politics, Reuters, The Ringer, Roll Call, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Vox, Wall Street Journal, and The Week.]

I know Christmas was 2 days ago, but I’m not ready for it to be over. It actually doesn’t have to be. (Follow me for a brief moment here; and yes, I do mean brief. I have some presents to keep playing with…)

When I think of the greatest gift I bask in over the Christmas season, there’s one thing that rings true over all. Let me first not dismiss the beauty of much…

• All the tasty treats, sweets and snacks.
• The family — near or far.
• The intentionality in letting people near and dear know how much we care.
• The individual ornaments, so many that tell a story about a person or place.
• Christmas Eve church.
• Those old, familiar carols play.
• “A Christmas Story,” the Darren McGavin-narrated classic, running endlessly on TBS and TNT this week, still making me laugh. Every. Single. Time.
• Candlelight — wherever it is.
• The silence by the glow of the tree.
• The silent night.

All of the above add to the meaning and merry. There’s more no doubt both for you and for me. But there’s still one thing better that Christmas gives, something I don’t think comes any other way…

I think of that star that guided the Magi to the manger.

I think of the shepherds, keeping watch over their flocks by night.

And whether it be the Magi or the shepherds or you or me, the one thing that was ushered in that night through the life of Jesus was peace. And Lord knows, all of us could use more peace in our lives.

I return to the words of author Sheila Walsh…

“Peace in the midst of all that’s wrong in the world. Peace in the midst of all that’s hard in your family. Peace in the midst of all that’s troubled inside of you. Peace is not the absence of trouble; it’s the presence of Christ.”

In our wondering, therefore, it should not escape us, that every major religion on this planet acknowledges the birth of Jesus Christ. As I sweetly, silently continue then in wonder, I wish that peace to accompany the acknowledgement for all…

• O little town of Bethlehem
• How still we see thee lie
• Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
• The silent stars go by
• Yet in thy dark streets shineth
• The everlasting light
• The hopes and fears of all the years
• Are met in thee tonight
• For Christ is born of Mary
• And gathered all above
• While mortals sleep, the angels keep
• Their watch of wondering love
• O morning stars together
• Proclaim thy holy birth
• And praises sing to God the King
• And peace to men on earth…

Blessings,

AR

During this special season, I find myself craving meaning and purpose. Suffice it to say, the shallow takes a back seat to that which is more.

This year I’ve been reading through a short devotional from Scottish author Sheila Walsh. One page made me think especially lots. 

Here Walsh wrote about a childhood interaction, about a boy in class when each was twelve. The boy was overweight, stuttered, and wore especially thick glasses. Walsh worried about his lack of companions and the unfortunate teasing that came far too generously from the other adolescents.

Writes Walsh:

“I was walking the short distance home from school one day when I heard a commotion behind me. I stopped and turned around to see what was going on. Sam was being harassed by three boys. Their words were cruel enough, but when one picked up a small stone and threw it at him, something inside me snapped. I dropped my schoolbag and pushed the bully so hard that he fell into his friends, and they all ended up in a pile on the sidewalk. Sam and I walked home together that day. We lived only one street apart, and he invited me to come in and have some lemonade. His mum poured us each a glass, gave us a chocolate biscuit, and Sam and I sat down by the fire.

‘Why did you do that?’ he asked.

‘Because I’m just like you,’ I said.

‘No, you’re not,’ he said.

‘I am, Sam. I think we all are.’

We’re all broken in one way or another. We want to belong, to fit in, but life is hard. It’s hard for everyone, but some of us conceal our struggles better than others. Some have no choice but to wear their brokenness in a visible way, while others disguise it behind laughter and smiles, but the pain is the same. We long to be fully known and fully loved, but that’s a terrifying thought. What if being fully known meant that we would not be fully loved?

As we walk through this Advent season, we are invited into that very longed-for embrace by our heavenly Father. The grace of such overwhelming love only became possible when Jesus left the glory of heaven to be born as a fragile baby. He walked where we walk, loved like we long to be loved, all the time showing us in flesh and blood what God our Father is like.

But the truth remains that, unless we are able to grasp hold of that love by the grace of God, to let that love into every little broken corner of our lives, we will remain alone. We were made for so much more.”

 I think what I like about this is a couple of things.

One, we’re all alike. Yep, all of us… black, white, male, female, old, young, gay, straight, conservative, liberal, American, not, brilliant, not, including all other demographic categories. There is no difference. 

But we, way too often, attempt to maximize manufactured differences.

At our own peril.

At Christmas, it’s easier for me to see that.

Jesus was born in a manger — according to both history and scripture — giving us love in human form. His earthly life would show us how incredibly much we are loved…

… and how incredibly much we are to love one another.

Merry Christmas, friends… and always…

Respectfully…

AR

In our continuous pursuit of all that is good and right and true, sometimes it’s challenging to know exactly why something isn’t so good and right and true. Maybe it doesn’t feel that way. Maybe it’s the duck metaphor… like “if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck,” quacks, etc., “then it probably is a duck.” It’s the application of abductive reasoning. We can’t always put words to it, but we know when something isn’t all ok, virtuous, good, right, true, you name it.

Allow us to utilize a not-so-popular example. Take the case of Taylor Swift, the pop music icon who celebrated her 34th birthday in celebrity style last week. No doubt she is immensely gifted and connects with a ton of people. Her connection, creativity and absolutely remarkable storytelling ability is laudable, to say the very least. Personally, I’m a longtime admiring fan.

Some would say it’s been Swift’s year. As The NY Times penned over the weekend, “Taylor Swift grabbed many headlines in 2023. Her widely popular Eras Tour, which proved too much for Ticketmaster to handle, has been both a business and a cultural juggernaut. And Time magazine named her as its person of the year.”

Indeed it was her year. Kudos to her… Love it. Enjoy it. Use your 15 fame minutes or moments or obviously so much more wisely and well… That certainly could be said of Swift. Writes Time: 

“… Something unusual is happening with Swift, without a contemporary precedent. She deploys the most efficient medium of the day—the pop song—to tell her story. Yet over time, she has harnessed the power of the media, both traditional and new, to create something wholly unique—a narrative world, in which her music is just one piece in an interactive, shape-shifting story. Swift is that story’s architect and hero, protagonist and narrator.”

Add her budding NFL’er romance to the headlines — and it makes paying attention to Swift even more intriguing.

Yet somewhere in the paying attention is where the good and right and true starts to fall a bit apart for me. It’s not about Swift; truly. it’s about us. It’s about how we take notice — and the depth of our attention. 

Yes, we respect her… we love her… we even have a brand new fondness for burly boyfriend Travis Kelce!

The question, though, is: when does it go too far?

When does it become worship?

When does it become idolatry?

Again, please — let’s give one another a ton of grace. Many of us are fans; there need be no judgment in our assessment. It’s simply that idolatry is known to be unhealthy, and worship, well, that’s wisely reserved for the divine, and last I knew, Swift wasn’t the reason for the season.

This isn’t about the talent of Taylor Swift. This is about our response to celebrity.

Sometimes we worship that which was never intended as such. At Christmas and Hanukkah especially, many of us think about that worship a lot.

I was struck, no less, by the words of one other NFL’er recently. He isn’t nearly as known as Kelce nor even as much as most professional football players. In fact, he’s actually pretty much a perennial back up, only currently playing because the biggest star in Cincinnati had a season-ending injury. 

Jake Browning, the undrafted Bengals quarterback, has been forced into a starting role. Not only is he starting, he is unpredictably doing very well thus far, surpassing all expectations.

Hence, the celebrity status that accompanies NFL success is new to Browning. He was asked about his newfound 15 minutes or moments or more. Said Browning: “[The] biggest adjustment has been I am so tired of talking about myself. I don’t have that many opinions about a lot of things.”

Much as we try to talk to a celebrity about being a celebrity, here is a person who doesn’t want to focus on self. In sports or pop culture, in politics and more, how beautiful is that? 

That, my friends, is unquestionably good and right and true.

Respectfully…

AR

In recent weeks we’ve spoken about the three college presidents from perceived prestigious universities who took part in an incredibly poor congressional hearing. (Note: I am being kind.) As has been documented here, the presidents of Harvard, Penn and MIT spent hours dodging the question of whether or not calls for the genocide of Jews and/or the elimination of Israel were against their respective university’s code of conduct. Remember that none of the three would directly answer the question, suggesting free speech and context mattered most. None would offer either a “yes” or “no.”

The fallout was swift, strong, and across all party lines. Not only was it a disastrous public relations appearance, it was an even worse ethical interaction, noting that those who are directing the education of our country’s kids could not acknowledge that such calls are “antithetical to everything we represent as a country.”

All three presidents have faced plentiful pressure to resign, with the UPenn president following through. The other two currently remain in their leadership post; however, ample questions and calls for their removal also ardently remain.

Regardless, as alluded to here previously, the bigger question is not with individual leadership; their continued tenure or lack of it doesn’t change the perspicuously fragile foundation underneath. The glaring challenge, therefore, lies in the following: what are the guiding principles these institutions are attempting to instill in those who are on their campus, preparing for professional adulthood?

Interestingly, while the presidents couldn’t be black and white in their public behavioral analysis, as to what the appropriate consequence of a given situation should be, note where they’ve been more decisive. Allow us a mere two examples from Harvard, although indeed, there are far more…

Harvard biology professor Carole Hooven, during the promotion of her book on testosterone and sex differences, explained that sex is binary and biological. As she shared, “In response, the director of my department’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging task force (a graduate student) accused me of Twitter of transphobia and harming undergraduates, and I responded. The tweets went viral, receiving international news coverage. The public attack by the task force director runs contrary to Harvard’s stated academic freedom principles, yet no disciplinary action was taken, nor did any university administrators publicly support my right to express my views in an environment free of harassment.” Hooven currently remains on leave.

Or the case with Ron Sullivan, Harvard’s first black faculty dean… 

Sullivan was well credentialed and respected. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and began his teaching career at Yale where he won the law school’s prestigious award for Outstanding Teaching. Then dean — and future Supreme Court Justice — Elena Kagan recruited him to Harvard. But he was fired four years ago. Why? Sullivan joined the defense team of Harvey Weinstein, the former film producer then facing multiple rape and sexual abuse allegations. Apparently, in a country which constitutionally proclaims that everyone is afforded the right to a fair trial, Weinstein was not worthy of a defense.

Harvard’s campus promotes the concept of “veritas” — in other words, truth. It was was more than 30 years ago when the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences adopted “Free Speech Guidelines” declaring that “free speech is uniquely important to the University because we are a community committed to reason and rational discourse.”

And yet, based on the above, it would seem they indeed struggle with truth when it surrounds academic freedom.

Are students allowed to come to their own decisions?

Perhaps that’s another ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

As a young parent, I used to tell my sons that my job wasn’t to teach them what to think, but rather how to think. My concern now with the institutions of higher learning is that they are most focused on the what, dismissing angles and opinions which conflict from their chosen agenda. There is no veritas nor freedom. 

Here is where the evolution of “wokeism” needs to be acknowledged and addressed. We speak not of “woke’s” original definition in the African-American community referring to an increased awareness of racial injustice. Rightly or wrongly, “woke” has morphed into more of an umbrella term, continually changing, now including a mass variety of perceived social injustice by whoever says so loudest. It thus, also rightly or wrongly, has become associated with political correctness, cancel culture and blinded bias.

All that to say, wokeism comes into play if this is the agenda of the university — that free speech only exists when the school is the determiner of the discourse. Wokeism comes into play if they are canceling unlike angles. Something other than being “over-lawyered” made those college presidents unable to say calls for genocide were wrong. And something made those presidents and administrations un-okay with proclamations of sex being binary. That’s where wokeism may be a problem. What is driving these administrations?

Asked once more: what are they teaching our kids?

Respectfully…

AR

There’s only so many days left. It’s December 13th as we first post this… in other words, only a dozen or less shopping days.

Hence, it’s time for “The Twelve Days of Christmas”… Intramuralist style, why of course.

(Granted, we’ll spare you the gleefully incessant refrains… although for pure enjoyment reasons, we do encourage the below singing along… if in private, that is… it’s just more fun that way…)

(So starting with day 12… really… please sing.)

* * * * *

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my neighbor sent to me…

Twelve unbiased news outlets

Eleven objective reporters

Ten honest spokesmen

Nine wise college presidents

Eight always kind colleagues

Seven in no lies ever-a-swimming

Six truths a-laying

A calm, 2024…

Four calls for common sense

Three moral men

Two good candidates

and

A respectful day of productive dialogue.

* * * * *

’Tis the season…

Respectfully… absolutely always…

AR

Perhaps you saw it. Perhaps you did not. One could easily make the case for the need to know.

Last week the presidents of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania appeared before the House Education Committee. We all know Congress can become a bit of a “gotcha hotbed.” Hence, it’s important that we pay attention to what was actually said.

The college presidents were specifically asked about chants on campus crying “intifada,” the contemporary Arab term that has evolved to mean intentional violence toward and the elimination of Jews, wherever their control and presence exists.

They were each asked, “Does that speech not cross that barrier, does that speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel? Is that speech according to the code of conduct or not?”

Note the responses of those who lead some of America’s perceived finest academic institutions…

Said Dr. Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard, ”We embrace a commitment to free expression and give a wide berth to free expression, even views that are objectionable.”

Added Ms. Liz Magill, the president of UPenn, “It is a context-dependent decision.” 

And lastly, Dr. Sally Kornbluth, the president of MIT, said, “That would be investigated as harassment if pervasive and severe.”

The questioning continued for some time. The three consistently deflected and deferred. (While I’m not an alumnus of any of the above, I wondered if the university leaders missed the wisdom embedded in a “yes” or “no” response, that is, that most of us learned in elementary.)

None of the three would unequivocally state that calls for genocide — whether it be elimination of the Jews or the also added “mass murder of African Americans” — were against their code of conduct. I’ll say it again; these represent our supposed finest educational institutions in the land.

The backlash has been universally, bipartisanly strong. Said White House spokesperson Andrew Bates in the immediate negative aftermath, “It’s unbelievable that this needs to be said: calls for genocide are monstrous and antithetical to everything we represent as a country. Any statements that advocate for the systematic murder of Jews are dangerous and revolting — and we should all stand firmly against them, on the side of human dignity and the most basic values that unite us as Americans.”

Seemingly realizing that their dodging was disastrous, especially noting the immediate loss or threat of loss of donors, the presidents themselves have been busied with backtracking. Legal speak has said they were “over-prepared” or “over-lawyered” or as the UPenn board chair said of Pres. Magill, “She was not herself last Tuesday.” Said Magill herself in a no doubt carefully crafted video statement, “I was not focused on, but I should have been, the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. It’s evil, plain and simple.” Magill would resign by the end of the week.

Friends, today’s post isn’t about the current conflict in Israel, a conflict, sadly, that’s been raging for years. Today’s question is about what colleges are teaching our kids. Are we supposed to believe that these educational institutions are still so fine?

What’s the goal of the university? …

Are they preparing students for their professional future?

Do they have other agendas?

Are they attempting to politicize? 

Radicalize?

Maybe even skew the thinking of what is known to be right and wrong?

I’ve long thought the current college trajectory was unsustainable, but that was mostly due to exponentially rising costs. Hence, I understand the desire for loan forgiveness even though that unfairly helps some at the expense of others, each who made intentional choices leading to their specific scenario. I’m uncomfortable with the indubitable unjustness of that approach.

However, I now increasingly wonder whether the current college trajectory is unsustainable because of what they teach, because of how they lead, and because of what they advocate for. The bottom line, grossly evident before Congress last week, is that it is unclear whether college teaches what is good and right and true. Our teaching is prompted by what we acknowledge and what we value.

At the very least, therefore, it seems we need to immediately change the definition as to what we perceive as “fine.”

Respectfully…

AR

Part of the glamour of my illustrious high school career (and yes, please chuckle at the asserted, youthful perception) was being a standout member of my high school speech team. Paling slightly in comparison to the prestige (and scholarships) produced by the athletic department, there were numerous competition events, from Poetry and Prose, Humorous and Dramatic Interpretation, not to mention Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speaking, the latter of which would result in my teenage, semi-claim to fame.

Another event oft offered was debate. Debate means an individual or team works to convince a judge that their side of an issue is more valid than another’s.

The rules are agreed upon. The topic is researched. Logical arguments are prepared. Note that an argument on the debate stage equates to offering “a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right or wrong.” Argument does not equate to anger. In fact, anger — and its expressive, emotional equivalents — i.e. scorn, condescension, loud disrespect — is frowned upon. It actually is cause for judges to rate competitors poorly.

Interruptions are also minimized. They are allowed only for specific, predefined purpose, such as to get information about the rules, ask a question of privilege, make a point of order or to appeal with a judge/moderator’s ruling. Note, too, interruptions for the purpose of “just wanting to make my point now” or drown someone out or not let another’s point get any traction whatsoever are not permissible on the debate stage. Why? Because with such motive there is no decorum. There is no respect.

Debate is an exchange of ideas based on respectful dialogue. At least that’s what we learned in high school.

As averred by the National Speech & Debate Association, “The importance of respect in this activity cannot be overstated. Because this is an activity designed to facilitate argument, it is often easy to not be civil to opponents. Students cannot let the ease with which incivility comes overwhelm them. All competitors must make an effort to be courteous to their fellow students, to their judges, and to all involved in the activity… Judges will never vote down a debtor for being too courteous.”

And yet as we’ve witnessed, debate in modern day America — debate across the globe — has cringingly morphed from what we learned as adolescents to now into some kind of ideological food fight. It doesn’t matter what you throw, as long as it sticks and makes a notable mess.

Forget about those in the national spotlight. Whether their preferred debate approach is to bawdily bully via rampant interruption or self-serving, manufactured fact or to tactically avoid as long as possible due to an incapability to be consistently coherent, the reality is that politics is downstream from current culture. And current culture isn’t good at either the respect or the idea exchange. 

We have lost the art of debate, friends. We have lost the ability — and the recognition that said ability is good — to sit with the difference of another. And discuss.

How many have had a friend shut us down, saying, “I’m sorry, but we have too many differences to be friends”… or “that’s just too big of a difference”… or even have one suggest, “Ok, we can be friends, but if you ever disagree with me, we’re done.” Sorry, but that sounds more the leaning of an adolescent. That is not good. Not wise. And it is certainly void of the wisdom that is embedded in debate, in the sharing of argument, in the respectful exchange of ideas, both those that are similar. And those that are not.

Years ago, I listened to a TEDTalk by political philosopher and Harvard professor Michael Sandel. He believes that democracy thrives on civil debate. He also believes we’re shamefully out of practice. We aren’t good at that mutual exchange of varied ideas and learning from one another. We’re not good at recognizing the ease with which incivility overwhelms us and justifies less honorable behavior.

Says Sandel, “A better way to mutual respect is to engage directly with the moral convictions citizens bring to public life rather than to require that people leave their deepest moral convictions outside politics before they enter. That it seems to me the way to begin to restore the art of democratic argument.”

Remember: argument isn’t anger. 

By the way, we learned that in high school.

Respectfully…

AR

May we always learn from those who’ve gone before us. May we learn from their wisdom. May we learn from their mistakes. May we learn from a life well-lived.

This past week three notable persons passed away…

First was Rosalynn Carter, former First Lady, known perhaps best for her devotion to her husband and advocacy for mental and spiritual health, who said many wise things…

• “There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.”    
• “Once you accept the fact that you’re not perfect, then you develop some confidence.”
• “I think the city of Washington itself is insular to a certain extent. You have to get out in the country to realize what is going on and discover that the perceptions in Washington aren’t necessarily accurate.”

Many wise things were said of her upon her death… 

• From the U.S. Secret Service: “Your compassion, diplomacy and penchant to make society better for those less fortunate was an inspiration for an entire generation. It has been our honor to protect and serve you for all of these years. You were truly a treasure for our nation and our Secret Service family.”
• From Habitat for Humanity: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Rosalynn Carter has died. She was a compassionate and committed champion of Habitat for Humanity and worked fiercely to help families around the world.”

Second was Henry Kissinger, former Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, known as one of the most effective U.S. Sec. of States, although like most of us, not absent of controversy, who said…

• “Corrupt politicians make the other ten percent look bad.” 
• “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.” 
• “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” 

Also things said were said of him…

• From former Pres. George W. Bush: “America has lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs with the passing of Henry Kissinger. I have long admired the man who fled the Nazis as a young boy from a Jewish family, then fought them in the United States Army. He worked in the Administrations of two Presidents and counseled many more. I am grateful for that service and advice, but I am most grateful for his friendship. Laura and I will miss his wisdom, his charm and his humor. And we will always be thankful for the contributions of Henry Kissinger.”
• From the New York Yankees: “The Yankees are profoundly saddened by the passing of former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who performed varied and vital diplomatic and advisory roles throughout his distinguished career. A lifelong friend of the Yankees organization, he was a frequent welcome guest of the Steinbrenner family at Yankee Stadium. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.”

And third was Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female justice appointed to the Supreme Court (and actually in retirement, the successor to Henry Kissinger as the chancellor of the College of Willam & Mary), who said many wise things…

• “The power I exert on the court depends on the power of my arguments, not on my gender.”
• “I think the important thing about my appointment is not that I will decide cases as a woman, but that I am a woman who will get to decide cases.”
• I’ve always said that at the end of the day, on a legal issue, I think a wise old woman and a wise old man are going to reach the same conclusion.”

And of course, said of her…

• From former First Lady of California, Maria Shriver: “Today, a legend, Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, passed. I had the honor of working with her on Alzheimer’s, where she was a forceful advocate. She broke so many barriers. She was smart, strong, determined, a ceiling breaker, a break down the door type woman. She was a role model to me and an inspiration. She was a devoted wife and mother, as well,” Shriver wrote. “In our last conversation she asked me, what are you doing that’s new, that’s different? She kept pushing me to do more. To work harder. Knock down more doors. Thank you Justice O’Connor for paving the way, in so many ways! #architectofchange”
• And from Melinda Gates, the chairperson of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: ”Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was a trailblazer at every step—a young cowgirl in the Arizona desert who grew up to become the first woman on the Supreme Court. She embodied public service and leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.”

Well done… here’s to lives well-lived…

Respectfully…

AR