RFK Remembered

What would the country be like today if Bobby Kennedy were alive? For an idea we need only remember what he said:

"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

"The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use, rather than its irresponsible and indulgent use- how to make people of power live for the public, rather than off the public."

"Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital, quality for those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change."

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were and ask why not."

"Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation ... It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is thus shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

"Fear not the path of truth for the lack of people walking on it." From his last speech, June 6, 1968

"Laws can embody standards; governments can enforce laws--but the final task is not a task for government. It is a task for each and every one of us. Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted--when we tolerate what we know to be wrong--when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy, or too frightened--when we fail to speak up and speak out--we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."

Wouldn't it be wonderful if even ONE of the people seeking the presidency would make these comments today.

Is Carl Bernstein a Sexist?

That is the question being asked by By Jeralyn at TalkLeft. Bernstein's new book "A Woman in Charge," about Sen. Hillary Clinton, would certainly lead one to believe so. Jeralyn provides a few quotes from the book to allow readers to decide:

“‘She’s not a heavy-duty intellectual. He’s much brighter than she is. She’s bright, but she’s not very bright…” (p. 275).

“Her ankles were thick.” (p. 32)

“‘At first, she didn’t wear stockings….Her hair was friend into an Orphan Annie perm….There wasn’t one…feminine thing about her.’” (p. 130)

More...

“Hillary’s weight was a regular topic of conversation, spurred by her inability to shed the few pounds that would have made her more attractive.” (p.130)

“Many colleagues of the Clintons had concluded that Hillary was not as intrinsically bright as her husband.” (p. 274)

“[S]he was rarely, if ever, deferential. It had never been her style nor would it ever be.” (p. 130).

And what makes Bernstein think he's an expert on relationships? He had an affair with British politician Margaret Jay while married to second wife Nora Ephron (Carol Honsa was Bernstein's first wife). His infidelity was portrayed in Ephron's book Heartburn.

I agree with Jeralyn's comment: "This is a book we're supposed to take seriously? Give me a break."