On words and inspiration

[Spider Jerusalem]

"Morale is to all other factors as four is to one." - Napoleon Bonaparte

It's foolish to dismiss the importance of inspiration as an element of effective leadership. What remains to be seen is whether words will translate into deeds; one hopes they will. I have enough belief in the American people, despite recent disappointments, to believe that they will, and I, for one, am willing to take a chance that they will.

The opportunity for genuine inspiration in American politics, for the first time in a very long time, is before us; we have to remember that the words of many cited as great and inspiring leaders would be forgotten had history not been on their side. Had Britain become a conquered nation, no-one would remember Winston Churchill as a magnificent orator whose words fortified the resolve of the British people to fight on to victory; had the efforts of the United States to put a man on the moon ended in costly failure, no-one would remember JFK for inspiring us to reach for the stars; had the United States descended into anarchy, or fascism, no-one would remember FDR as an uplifting source of hope in the midst of the Great Depression.

And the words of leaders are, ultimately, meaningless, without determined resolve and effort on the part of the people to whom they're addressed. I'm ready to take up my part of the burden, to do what I can to make this country great again; are you? That is the real question, for great leaders make people aware of the greatness within themselves.

We can but try; as John F Kennedy said, 'ask not what your country can do for you, but you can do for your country.' If we genuinely care for America and for one another as citizens, we can do no less.

[saltpoint]

1. I endorse what you have written here, Spider Jerusalem, and hope the

post you've given us enjoys a long enough life to serve as a guidepost for critical thinking on these boards.

I include myself among those in need of the lesson.

Let me throw in a passage from Adrienne Rich, from her collection, DIVING INTO THE WRECK:

_ _ _ _ _

Go back so far there is another languge
go back far enough the language
is no longer personal

these scars bear witness
but whether to repair
or to destruction
I no longer know
_ _ _ _ _

--which for me is why language matters as general currency and why it uplifts, from the limits of the personal into an anthem for the many. Where words and deeds merge into common purpose. Agree with you on taking up one's part of the burden, and the collective plural of our country can be the chief beneficiary if we reach critical mass.

Words light the way.

Absolutely one of the most convincing posts I've seen on DU in a long damn time.

[GoldieAZ49]

2. Count me in

without inspiration they are not a leader, they are just the head of state.

We need a leader that will inspire each of us to make our country great again. The POTUS is only one person, they cannot lift a nation alone.

[saltpoint]

3. Kick. For all-night DUers and for the mysterious figures in

Edward Hopper's NIGHTHAWKS.

[saltpoint]

4. Kick. For the late-sleepers and afternoon musers-upon-the-moment.