In every society there are moments of mass hysteria. Smart politicians play the hysteria, building support and getting plenty of money. The current foolishness in Florida, concerning brain dead Terry Schaivo is just such a case.

To think Jeb Bush ever gave a damn about this woman, or that any politician does is bunk. Randall Terry, an extremist from the get go, yearns for Terry to die so he can hustle all the frightened women close by. He uses every tragedy to enrich himself and others who play his game.

The President is in the game, wanting money for his presidential library.

I know how all this looks to history. Nevertheless this hysteria does force the public to think about brain death and how society must act in such cases.

America is a Rube Republic, always has been, so enjoy the show and send your favorite pol a dollar, that's what it's about.

"A misguided Crusade?"

The single greatest threat to any presidency is an attitude of "Self Importance"

Without meaning to do so, President Bush is very likely defeating his ambitious Social Security Reform package. History presents two examples of such transaction.

1. In 1917 President Woodrow Wilson pleaded with the country to accept his 14 point peace plan and New World "League of Nations" plan. He spooked Democrats (And a number of Midwest Republicans) who were against the World War as it became clear US occupation in Europe as well as substantial costs to sustain US presence there would go on for years.

Wilson failed to realize how Americans saw him. He ignored warning he was seen as just another President in his second term, soon to leave.

He ignored historical evidence Presidents generally have two years in their first term to set an agenda and have a chance at success.

By 1917 his once much praised intellectual powers were increasingly marked by rigidity and a distinct intolerance. His caculating antics toward the suffragettes and Temperance movements angered friends and crirtics.

Historic public resentment of foreign adventure, and what smacked of a personal Wilson quest, matched by a bitterness over the loud quarrels by European allies that never seemed to end, eroded public support. He did not respond well to domestic issues or showed much interest in party politics.

In the 1916 Congressional Elections the GOP gained and the Democrats lost seats. His party never forgave him!

US involvement in the war itself in 1917/1918 made matters worse as casualties mounted and it looked the US was in a swamp. Post war violence in the Balkans and the Russian revolution added to the countries jitters. The "Red Scare" made the "League of Nations" idea seem dangerous.

Remarkably by 1919 Wilson had squandered much critical support by his "moralist" attitude and long trips to Europe to push his agenda, neglecting matters at home. His tragic falling out with Colonel House; his "Man in Europe" did much damage.

In 1919 the League of Nations treaty was defeated in the Senate by "Isolationist Democrats: ie: W. Jennings Bryan and Urban Republicans worried over the economy, and Wilson's ambition was swarted.

The Republicans returned to power in the 1920 elections by portraying Mr. Harding as "Normal and his term to be a return to nromalcy" and the Democrats, portrayed as crusaders, wasters of national treasure and young lives were exiled for 12 years.

Historically Wilson greatest failure was to groom a popular successor, his visible contempt for politicians would be duplicated by Jimmy Carter and today by GW Bush. Do you see GOP operatives trailing him and shouting their support?

2. In 1939 President Roosevelt sought to stack the US Supreme Court with younger less reactionary judges. He alienated everyone with what looked to be the worse kind of partisan legislation. Roosevelt betrayed his own ambition and burned away much public admiration.

Today much of America is suspicious of the Bush camp and there is a whiff of realization that Mr. Bush has a habit of putting a ideological spin on his ambitions. He acts as if he's saving America or that his plans are critical to the nations future.

The public gets fatigued when politicians talk in such language.

The President does not believe or understand that he was re-elected less by his virtues than by John Kerry's vices and flaws.

The Democrats will play the "Rich Republicans trying to cheat the working folk" card in 2006, and a tired electorate might listen, if for any reason, to shut the president up!

George Bush ignores a well documented public cynicism about Iraq and does not realize the political damage of steady drum beat of car bombings and mass killings in Baghdad erode support for him.

Plus there is the legacy of the Internet Boom and bust that still galls investors.

The President really believes most folks want the added task of private accounts on top already busy lives!

His 60 stops in 60 days resembles Woodrow Wilson's national campaign to sell the League of Nations. Like President Wilson, Mr. Bush comes across as anxious, ignoring orther important duties, and lost in a fog of personal ambition and ideology few support or are interested in.

Just as dangerous, Mr. Bush fails to glimmer (or is indifferent about) public perceptions of him as a scion of wealth or as a ambitious evangelical.

Watching TV, listening to radio, and following blogs, it becomes obvious (to me) this Social Security plan seems to be a huge ambition for a not so big problem.

Perhaps the Bush Administration should ease up on such intensity, drop the private accounts plan for a few years and offer a smaller, less dramatic plan, and then concentrate of ending the war and reducing the deficit

For further Reference see PBS "American experience: The Wilson Crusade"

Taken without permission from "One Hand Clapping" A wonderful blog by Rev. Donald Sensing.

THIS IS WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ABOUT!

Celebrating 25 years If you ever get the chance not to be married in a blizzard, take it.Twenty-five years ago this afternoon I gave myself in marriage to the former Catherine Elizabeth Stephens of Durham, NC. Saturday, March 1, 1980 was a day to remember for more than one reason - the temperatures the whole last week of February had been in the 60s, but during the night of Feb. 29 the mercury nosedived. At 10 a.m. the first I was having breakfast with my best man, my younger brother, Will. It began snowing as we ate. Our wedding was scheduled for 3 p.m. We delayed it 15-20 minutes to give people more time to make the trip through the four or five inches that had fallen. A lot of folks wisely opted to stay home, but we still had a pretty good crowd. Fortunately, the reception was held in the church, too. We had the world's fastest reception as guests jammed a piece of cake down their throats, gulped some punch, kissed the bride, shook my hand and zipped out the door, where the storm had never abated.My car was untouched because, it was later reported to me, when my "friends" went outside to "decorate" it, their shaving cream froze. So did they, making them abandon this time-hallowed wedding day tradition.I had intended to drive to Savannah after the wedding, but had quickly discarded that idea when the snow started falling. I spent a little while on the phone getting reservations at a local hotel right after breakfast. So I drove my new bride there after leaving the church. We checked in and dropped out luggage in our suite. Since it was about 5:30 we decided to go on and have dinner. So we went back downstairs and crossed the lobby to the restaurant. We had a modest dinner and watched the blizzard wail outside. When we stepped back into the lobby we discovered it was absolutely packed with people. The RDU airport had been shut down by the storm and all the people were seeking rooms because their flights had been canceled.Directly ahead of us were my older brother, Andy, and his wife and some other out-of-towners from the wedding. They didn't know we were there, it was fate. Mustering all my military training, I determined that we would have to infiltrate back to the elevators across the lobby. We almost made it. Andy espied us and called to us. Rather stupidly, we went over, where he informed me that if there were no more rooms by the time he and Suzanne got to the desk, they were going to crash with us.He was joking, of course (well, I think so) but even so, I related to my dear brother in extremely unambiguous terms exactly what I thought of that idea. But no worries anyway, for they did get a room. Cathy and I wound up going to their room and playing cards for awhile before retiring for the evening.The snow continued to fall and fall. We didn't even try to venture out on Sunday. The snow finally abated midday Sunday after dropping 11-12 inches and the skies cleared. The airport reopened and all those people got out of my hotel. Monday I dug my car from the blown snow and we decided to bag Savannah and head for New Orleans, where we had a great time.Now why, you may ask, am I sitting here writing about this on the very night of my 25th anniversary? Because life goes on and sometimes life intrudes into other plans. Cathy unfortunately came down extremely ill the night before last with a virus that's making its miserable way around these parts. She has been bedridden for two days, sick as a dog.So for our 25th anniversary I took her some soup and gave her some medicine and prayed for her health. We're long past the time when we're disappointed we cannot "celebrate" the night by going to a nice restaurant and exchanging gifts and having private times. After 25 years, to minister to her in sickness, not just health, is a form of celebration. She is sleeping now. Simply to be there and give her care is, somehow, a fitting commemoration of this Silver Anniversary. For really, all we can give one another is our love and charity, and what better time than this day?
In the name of God,I, Donald, take you, Catherine, to be my wife,to have and to holdfrom this day forward,for better, for worse,for richer, for poorer,in sickness and in health,to love and to cherish,until we are parted by death.This is my solemn vow.
That's what I said 25 years ago today. I meant it then, I mean it now, and when my love is well I will so vow to her again.by Donald Sensing, 10:04 PM