Ultimately, however, Presidents’ Day is less about presidents and more about us. Will we remember that the person who holds the office, as powerful as they are, cannot be allowed to be bigger than the country they serve? In choosing who has the honor and responsibility to lead us, will we learn from the past? Will we wrestle with the present? Will we be the ones to dictate our future?
We are reflected in those whom we chose to be our representative and leaders. For better or worse, they are our responsibility and we carry with us their sins and failures as well as the successes we see them having.
The most important power of the presidency is without question the sole authority presidents have over the use of nuclear weapons. That is, every four years we give _a single human being_ the absolute power to decide the fate of the modern world.
What's truly remarkable, and quite alarming, is that during the long election seasons which seem almost eternal, this awesome power of the presidency typically receives quite little attention. This is typically true even when both candidates for the highest office are considered highly controversial by half the population.
To make things worse, any candidate for the presidency should automatically be considered legally insane. No kidding, the entire absurd circus of the human condition is well represented by an American presidential election. It's a funny situation, in a dark gallows humor kinda way....
The hypocrisy of Trump visiting Palestine when he failed to pass bills that would have prevented the trajedy. Mt. Rushmore is a symbol of the presidency. The nation cannot provide adequate restitution to the thousands of Native Americans who were killed. I know some Native American descendents who are taking advantage of the retitution programs the government offers.
THE REST OF THE STORY Mount Rushmore is less of a monument to four presidents than to the fluid treaties that the US government imposed upon Native Americans. For instant visual commentary on Mount Rushmore, see online "Original Founding Fathers," David Behrens Gallery: Photos of Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Red Cloud are positioned in front of the four Mount Rushmore presidents. Other sites sell tee-shirts of this photo.
Thank you again for another thoughtful and thought-provoking piece, Dan and Eliot. The discussion on the various points was robust and appreciated and a good reminder of the many aspects and complexities about this country and the office of the President that we need to always be mindful of.
What's your problem? Why are you here on Steady? As intelligent as you attempt to prove you are, your position has been revealed to be illogical and many do not agree with you. Move on.
America must confront the reality that it is its own worst enemy. Biden, if he runs, just might not get re elected, replaced by a Party determined to win at ALL costs. And so, I have great difficulty believing in the commonly used phrase "the most powerful person in the world". Presidents are so very often barely hanging on. Where is the power? (It lies in the senate and house of representatives and the supreme court each member being held accountable and removed promptly if found breaking their oath of office.)
It is plain to see there is no accountability now. Is America up to saving itself? I think so, but not yet.
Thank you for a thought provoking perspective on Presidents’ Day. We need more critical thinking skills taught in our schools. And, for a practical application, how to choose a place to live, a life partner, and how to assess the character of a presidential candidate.
I agree with the importance of our President. But I want to comment on Mt Rushmore. It used to be a place on my bucket list, but I have crossed it off because it is carved into a sacred Native American place. Another broken promise to them. Maybe a different graphic choice next time?
I'm disappointed the current president went to a contrived war zone instead of an environmental and social catastrophe in his own country. it looks like a flashy publicity stunt. appreciate all your columns.
Its a real shame that trump refused to be a president! Instead he is only interested in power and the keys to the cash cow and documents that he has put us all at risk he has a money grubbing family that complain that they deserve utmost respect no matter that they are least likely to respect Americans
Jim carter
Was better by far and Joe Biden has had to put up with a president who commits crimes to bash Joe ! I’m so sick of this family they bring me down and they enjoy knowing that they have power even as bad as this junior tries hard to get points for bashing Hunter. He should lookin the mirror he has become an ugly version of himself ugly . He would rather get attention being ugly than no attention at all . What junior fails to see is his reutatoion is done!
Maybe it's me but I truly believe if you had left out the writing about Trump, not that it wasn't all true, this might have been your finest column. It was uplifting while acknowledging we have warts. But all in all Mr Rather a very well written piece, thank you.
Sometimes a picture is just a picture not a statement! We may be getting a little over sensitive these days when anything can become more than it was meant to be!
Mr. Rather,
I'm not sure if your gracious invite to communicate was meant for me, Jack Velten.
If it was, thank you. If it was meant for someone else, I understand, you must get hundreds of texts a day.
Perfect close:
Ultimately, however, Presidents’ Day is less about presidents and more about us. Will we remember that the person who holds the office, as powerful as they are, cannot be allowed to be bigger than the country they serve? In choosing who has the honor and responsibility to lead us, will we learn from the past? Will we wrestle with the present? Will we be the ones to dictate our future?
We are reflected in those whom we chose to be our representative and leaders. For better or worse, they are our responsibility and we carry with us their sins and failures as well as the successes we see them having.
The most important power of the presidency is without question the sole authority presidents have over the use of nuclear weapons. That is, every four years we give _a single human being_ the absolute power to decide the fate of the modern world.
What's truly remarkable, and quite alarming, is that during the long election seasons which seem almost eternal, this awesome power of the presidency typically receives quite little attention. This is typically true even when both candidates for the highest office are considered highly controversial by half the population.
To make things worse, any candidate for the presidency should automatically be considered legally insane. No kidding, the entire absurd circus of the human condition is well represented by an American presidential election. It's a funny situation, in a dark gallows humor kinda way....
https://www.tannytalk.com/p/nukes-is-your-favorite-presidential
The hypocrisy of Trump visiting Palestine when he failed to pass bills that would have prevented the trajedy. Mt. Rushmore is a symbol of the presidency. The nation cannot provide adequate restitution to the thousands of Native Americans who were killed. I know some Native American descendents who are taking advantage of the retitution programs the government offers.
Thank you Dan Rather. Every article is full of wisdom and much appreciated.
THE REST OF THE STORY Mount Rushmore is less of a monument to four presidents than to the fluid treaties that the US government imposed upon Native Americans. For instant visual commentary on Mount Rushmore, see online "Original Founding Fathers," David Behrens Gallery: Photos of Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Geronimo and Red Cloud are positioned in front of the four Mount Rushmore presidents. Other sites sell tee-shirts of this photo.
Thank you again for another thoughtful and thought-provoking piece, Dan and Eliot. The discussion on the various points was robust and appreciated and a good reminder of the many aspects and complexities about this country and the office of the President that we need to always be mindful of.
What's your problem? Why are you here on Steady? As intelligent as you attempt to prove you are, your position has been revealed to be illogical and many do not agree with you. Move on.
America must confront the reality that it is its own worst enemy. Biden, if he runs, just might not get re elected, replaced by a Party determined to win at ALL costs. And so, I have great difficulty believing in the commonly used phrase "the most powerful person in the world". Presidents are so very often barely hanging on. Where is the power? (It lies in the senate and house of representatives and the supreme court each member being held accountable and removed promptly if found breaking their oath of office.)
It is plain to see there is no accountability now. Is America up to saving itself? I think so, but not yet.
Thank you for a thought provoking perspective on Presidents’ Day. We need more critical thinking skills taught in our schools. And, for a practical application, how to choose a place to live, a life partner, and how to assess the character of a presidential candidate.
I agree with the importance of our President. But I want to comment on Mt Rushmore. It used to be a place on my bucket list, but I have crossed it off because it is carved into a sacred Native American place. Another broken promise to them. Maybe a different graphic choice next time?
I'm disappointed the current president went to a contrived war zone instead of an environmental and social catastrophe in his own country. it looks like a flashy publicity stunt. appreciate all your columns.
Its a real shame that trump refused to be a president! Instead he is only interested in power and the keys to the cash cow and documents that he has put us all at risk he has a money grubbing family that complain that they deserve utmost respect no matter that they are least likely to respect Americans
Jim carter
Was better by far and Joe Biden has had to put up with a president who commits crimes to bash Joe ! I’m so sick of this family they bring me down and they enjoy knowing that they have power even as bad as this junior tries hard to get points for bashing Hunter. He should lookin the mirror he has become an ugly version of himself ugly . He would rather get attention being ugly than no attention at all . What junior fails to see is his reutatoion is done!
Maybe it's me but I truly believe if you had left out the writing about Trump, not that it wasn't all true, this might have been your finest column. It was uplifting while acknowledging we have warts. But all in all Mr Rather a very well written piece, thank you.
Sometimes a picture is just a picture not a statement! We may be getting a little over sensitive these days when anything can become more than it was meant to be!
TY!