All Over But the Shouting
November 3, 2008
Dear President Elect _____________________________:
I came across a copy of this document the other day, and it reminded me of you. It occurred to me that a useful exercise for someone in a position such as yours - and for someone in a position such as the one you will be in on January 20th - would be to take a gander at this document I've excerpted below.
Ben Franklin listed these virtues and then went so far as to chart, daily, how successfully he'd followed his own advice. Mr. President, I think we can agree that it wouldn't be absolutely necessary to actually write down your daily activities and adherence to these principles of thought and action. Nevertheless, these are some good rules to live by, and contemplating these virtues sure couldn't hurt.
I'll be watching Mr. President, and I plan to hold you accountable over the next four years. My sense is that, deep down, you are a man who wants to do the right thing. I might not always agree with you about what that right thing is, but I don't doubt that, fundamentally, you have honorable motives. I'd by lying if I didn't say that I think you have been, at times in your life, guided more by your desire to be judged the best than by a pure desire to do good and to be YOUR best. That's not really how I roll, but I understand the impulse, and I think there is more to you than "politician."
History and literature teach us again and again that once men have a taste of power, they have difficulty letting go, and often they make mistakes borne out of hubris (to wit: him and him). I don't know how well we will all hold up if you succumb to this particular weakness of character. We are tired, we are frightened, and we remain ever hopeful that you will steer this ship of state back on course. We are looking to you to not just appear virtuous, to not just speak virtuous words, but to be virtuous.
I wish you well.
Sincerely,
WRH
The thirteen moral virtues listed by Benjamin Franklin in his Autobiography:
1. Temperance. Eat not to Dulness. Drink not to Elevation. - For one thing, you would embarrass yourself at State dinners.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation. - Speak not the smack about your adversaries.
3. Order. Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time. - Priorities, sir. It's about priorities.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve. - We all know that both of you are going to have to raise taxes on just about everybody thanks to this joker. Don't make empty promises. We're not that stupid...ok. Some of us are.
5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing. - Particularly not my children's future. Or their air. Or their health care. Or their educations.
6. Industry. Lose no Time. Be always employ'd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions. - I think it would be OK if you allotted about a half an hour a day to keeping up with WRH.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly. - Could I please have my constitution back? Please?
8. Justice. Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty. - It's time to end this war in a responsible way and do what we can to stabilize the Middle East when we are asked to help. And we do have a duty to stop genocide when we see it.
9. Moderation. Avoid Extreams. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve. - Let it go. "Bring it on" didn't do much for our reputation. Also, "extreams" is actually spelled "extremes." Just so you know.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Cloaths or Habitation. - This is kind of up to you, but I might be a little embarrassed for both of us if you showed up at the G8 with B.O. And maybe don't wear hats often. Hats on a president look like you might be playing dress-up. Not very dignified.
11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable. - Don't get into pissing matches with Congress. It doesn't look good on either of you.
12. Chastity. Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dulness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation. - Nothing is a secret. Ask Bill. But try not to have any more kids. Population control is a valid and worthy goal.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. - And it wouldn't hurt to keep George Clooney around as eye candy for those dull press conferences.
Also...
The Morning Question, What Good shall I do this Day?
The Evening Question, What Good have I done to day?
Dear President Elect _____________________________:
I came across a copy of this document the other day, and it reminded me of you. It occurred to me that a useful exercise for someone in a position such as yours - and for someone in a position such as the one you will be in on January 20th - would be to take a gander at this document I've excerpted below.
Ben Franklin listed these virtues and then went so far as to chart, daily, how successfully he'd followed his own advice. Mr. President, I think we can agree that it wouldn't be absolutely necessary to actually write down your daily activities and adherence to these principles of thought and action. Nevertheless, these are some good rules to live by, and contemplating these virtues sure couldn't hurt.
I'll be watching Mr. President, and I plan to hold you accountable over the next four years. My sense is that, deep down, you are a man who wants to do the right thing. I might not always agree with you about what that right thing is, but I don't doubt that, fundamentally, you have honorable motives. I'd by lying if I didn't say that I think you have been, at times in your life, guided more by your desire to be judged the best than by a pure desire to do good and to be YOUR best. That's not really how I roll, but I understand the impulse, and I think there is more to you than "politician."
History and literature teach us again and again that once men have a taste of power, they have difficulty letting go, and often they make mistakes borne out of hubris (to wit: him and him). I don't know how well we will all hold up if you succumb to this particular weakness of character. We are tired, we are frightened, and we remain ever hopeful that you will steer this ship of state back on course. We are looking to you to not just appear virtuous, to not just speak virtuous words, but to be virtuous.
I wish you well.
Sincerely,
WRH
The thirteen moral virtues listed by Benjamin Franklin in his Autobiography:
1. Temperance. Eat not to Dulness. Drink not to Elevation. - For one thing, you would embarrass yourself at State dinners.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation. - Speak not the smack about your adversaries.
3. Order. Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time. - Priorities, sir. It's about priorities.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve. - We all know that both of you are going to have to raise taxes on just about everybody thanks to this joker. Don't make empty promises. We're not that stupid...ok. Some of us are.
5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing. - Particularly not my children's future. Or their air. Or their health care. Or their educations.
6. Industry. Lose no Time. Be always employ'd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions. - I think it would be OK if you allotted about a half an hour a day to keeping up with WRH.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly. - Could I please have my constitution back? Please?
8. Justice. Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that are your Duty. - It's time to end this war in a responsible way and do what we can to stabilize the Middle East when we are asked to help. And we do have a duty to stop genocide when we see it.
9. Moderation. Avoid Extreams. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve. - Let it go. "Bring it on" didn't do much for our reputation. Also, "extreams" is actually spelled "extremes." Just so you know.
10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Cloaths or Habitation. - This is kind of up to you, but I might be a little embarrassed for both of us if you showed up at the G8 with B.O. And maybe don't wear hats often. Hats on a president look like you might be playing dress-up. Not very dignified.
11. Tranquillity. Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable. - Don't get into pissing matches with Congress. It doesn't look good on either of you.
12. Chastity. Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dulness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation. - Nothing is a secret. Ask Bill. But try not to have any more kids. Population control is a valid and worthy goal.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates. - And it wouldn't hurt to keep George Clooney around as eye candy for those dull press conferences.
Also...
The Morning Question, What Good shall I do this Day?
The Evening Question, What Good have I done to day?
So Ben Franklin just said that to be healthy we need to do what?
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Excellent!
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Most excellent entry, dearest not-a-blog-writer.
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