“The words of a President have an enormous weight and ought not to be used indiscriminately.” – Calvin Coolidge
“Salient advice that several recent Presidents should have taken to heart.” – Kevin Berger’s commentary
Politics
Trump’s Twitter
Image of Martin Lomasney from Wikipedia
One of yesterday’s Sunday morning talking heads referenced a Martin Lomasney quote. It was interesting enough that it prompted me to look it up. Mr. Lomasney was what would now be called a political operative in Boston around the turn of the 20th century. He apparently once told a young follower, “Don’t write when you can talk; don’t talk when you can nod your head.” Sage advice! In the age of Hillary Clinton and Elliot Spitzer, “write” could have been updated to “email” and now in the era of President Trump, maybe “write” should be updated to “Tweet”…
Quote referenced through Wikipedia and Pioneer Institute
Kimberly Strassel Quote on Free Speech
Kimberly Strassel
“The Framers of the Constitution envisioned a multiplicity of interests that would argue their way to a common good. We succeed with more voices, not fewer, and we should have enough confidence in our arguments to hear out our opponents.”
Kimberly Strassel in Imprimis – April 2017, Volume 46, Number 4
Funerals, Flags and Football
Last week was a rough week. Two funerals for a parent of two different good friends. Those obligations just added to what was an already stressful week. Fortunately neither were unexpected. Both of of the passing parents were in their 90’s. It’s never good, though.
The second funeral was for a Navy veteran and he received military honors at his funeral. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this done. Both my grandfather’s and my mother-in-law’s 3rd husband’s funerals included military honors. It is always a moving and touching display.
The respect for the Flag that the seamen displayed was particularly noteworthy considering the current controversy. I wonder how many of the football players using the National Anthem and Flag presentations as a time to protest have seen this? Would it affect their choices?
I don’t dispute that they have the right to protest. That’s one of the things our Flag represents. Veterans often would be there first to affirm that, though often with a look of despair as they also recognize the disrespect. The Flag represents so much more to so many people. To many, the Flag is sacred. Would the players have better served their cause by choosing another form of protest? it would appear so… My favorite unsourced quote about Free Speech is, “While it is true that you have the right to free speech, you do not have the right to be heard.” To the NFL’s chagrin, some fans are now former fans because of the protests. They’ve chosen not to listen. Probably not what was intended.
I wasn’t an NFL fan before the protests started, but this has brought them onto my radar… and not in a favorable light. Without commentary on their goals, I wish they would have chosen another form of protest. Another comment I heard recently resonates. “If we don’t teach our youth respect for our Country, will they feel bound to protect it if necessary?” There was a news story about a Pee-wee football team that chose to kneel during the national anthem because that’s what their “heros” are doing. We reap what we sow… and sometimes we regret it.
Image borrowed from a Daily Mail article on Beau Biden’s funeral.
Lt. Governor Holcomb
Lt. Governor Eric Holcomb
I had the opportunity to meet Lt. Governor Holcomb when he was in Culver to to get a personal preview of our bid for Stellar Communities on July 8th. He didn’t get the video and golf cart tour, but we walked the park and had one on one conversations about Culver and what Stellar would mean to the community. This was before the shake-up in the Governor’s race and his ascension to the Republican candidacy. I found him to be personable and the questions he asked to be insightful. I have met some politicians who are obviously just smiling and nodding while off in their own world. I felt that Holcomb was engaged and truly interested. I would fully expect to be able to ask him questions about that visit and have him remember the discussion. That’s not always the case when State officials blow in and out of town…
As my lurkers no doubt know, Easterday Construction has been a member of ABC, Associated Builders and Contractors, for decades and I have represented the Northwest Council (previously the Michiana Council) on the state board of directors for many years. I am pleased that ABC has stepped up to endorse Eric Holcomb for Governor of Indiana. (See the endorsement below). My impression is that he will do a fine job. Unlike the national election, I think this is a place where I have the opportunity to vote for a good candidate that will do a good job, rather than voting for the lessor of evils… That doesn’t happen often enough…
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Associated Builders and Contractors Endorses Eric Holcomb for Governor
Indianapolis, IN, 9/21/16– Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) announced today that it has endorsed Eric Holcomb’s candidacy for Governor of Indiana.
John Roop, the 2016 ABC Board Chairman stated, “Indiana is moving in the right direction economically due to our strong Republican leadership in the Governor’s office. Eric Holcomb and Suzanne Crouch will continue this great leadership for the continued betterment of our state.”
“The goals and the values set forth by the Holcomb-Crouch ticket align perfectly with those of ABC, “ said J.R. Gaylor, President of ABC Indiana/Kentucky, “We share a belief in the freedoms that allow economic development and job growth, which, in Indiana, have far exceeded most other states during the last 16 years of Republican leadership. At ABC, we see no reason to change this positive trajectory.”
ABC Indiana/Kentucky is the leading voice of promoting free enterprise within the construction industry. ABC’s merit shop philosophy drives member services, political advocacy, and the need for all types of industry training and education.
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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky represents commercial and industrial contractors, who believe in the merit shop philosophy. ABC Indiana/Kentucky and 69 other chapters around the country help members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the better of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org and www.abc.org
