Winning Words 5/25/12
“Just because you can’t be everywhere and do everything doesn’t mean you can’t be anywhere and do anything.” (Madeline Albright) M, former Sec’y of State, started to write a book about the difficulty of making moral decisions and discovered that her parents had given her up as an infant to a Christian family to protect her from the Holocaust. She was raised as a Catholic and did not learn of her Jewish heritage until in her late 50s. Talk about situational ethics and moral choices…. ;-) Jack

FROM SHARIN' SHARON: I'm reading a book "Jewish Pirates on the Caribbean" It's about how many Jews fled Spain and Portugal at the end of the 15th century, during the Spanish Inquisition and became pirates attacking and plundering the Spanish fleet while forming alliances with other European powers to ensure the safety of Jews living in hiding. The book is full of stories about "converted" Jews and non-converted Jews settling in the New World. Extraordinary WW today. Glad for this period of time and people like Madeline Albright and her parents and the caring community's story. I bet her adoptive parents made good choices too in what they taught her. Just thinking that.////FROM JACK: One of my favorite books in JFK's "Profiles in Courage." Many people today are probably making courageous decisions that we'll never read about.

FROM HONEST JOHN: When you are a young pastor, you want to heal the world. When you find out that you can't do that, don't despair and do nothing. Do your part and leave the big picture up to the Lord.////FROM JACK: I agree with you. Further, I think that it's a matter related to an attitude more than it is to age. People who have faith and enthusiasm, no matter how old they are, can make a difference. I have a book on my shelf with the title, "You Can Still Change The World." Now that I've pulled it off the shelf, I'm going to read it again.

FROM LP IN MICHIGAN: wow////FROM JACK: WOW is what some people on Antiques Road Show say when they are told the "value" of an item that they thought was worthless. Maybe that's what we'll say when God reveals to us the value of some decision or someone.

FROM BBC IN ILLINOIS: I met her when she was touring promoting her book (Read My Pins) about the pins she worse as Secy of State and at a meeting of foreign relations folks when she was promoting one of Clinton’s works. She’s an amazing and reflective woman and I admire her so much. Thanks for sharing.////FROM JACK: Life turns out to be the choices we make. I'm blogging the info about her "Pin" book.

READ MY PINS (Amazon commentary on Albright's book): Before long, and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal. Former president George H. W. Bush had been known for saying "Read my lips." I began urging colleagues and reporters to "Read my pins." It would never have happened if not for Saddam Hussein. When U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine Albright criticized the dictator, his poet in residence responded by calling her "an unparalleled serpent." Shortly thereafter, while preparing to meet with Iraqi officials, Albright pondered: What to wear? She decided to make a diplomatic statement by choosing a snake pin. Although her method of communication was new, her message was as old as the American Revolution—Don't Tread on Me. From that day forward, pins became part of Albright's diplomatic signature. International leaders were pleased to see her with a shimmering sun on her jacket or a cheerful ladybug; less so with a crab or a menacing wasp. Albright used pins to emphasize the importance of a negotiation, signify high hopes, protest the absence of progress, and show pride in representing America, among other purposes. Part illustrated memoir, part social history, Read My Pins provides an intimate look at Albright's life through the brooches she wore. Her collection is both international and democratic—dime-store pins share pride of place with designer creations and family heirlooms. Included are the antique eagle purchased to celebrate Albright's appointment as secretary of state, the zebra pin she wore when meeting Nelson Mandela, and the Valentine's Day heart forged by Albright's five-year-old daughter. Read My Pins features more than 200 photographs, along with compelling and often humorous stories about jewelry, global politics, and the life of one of America's most accomplished and fascinating diplomats.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Reminds me of the quote"I am only one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something...etc. what an interesting blog on Madeline's pins! I hadn't thought of her in years! I am a great one for jewelry (surprise...Ha!) or a flower on my lapel...She was indeed a neat lady, very intelligent, and this is a worthy quote! So I'll get busy!!