Jack’s Winning Words 8/4/16
“History is bunk.”  (Henry Ford)  What Henry was saying in his famous quote is that history is tradition, and most people don’t want tradition; they want to live in the present.  Away with the old; in with the new.  That’s why “new and improved” cars are produced.  But, history isn’t always bunk.  I really learned to appreciate my country when I took a history course, American Ideals.  Basic ideals and values are what continue to make ours a great nation.    ;-)  Jack  

FROM TARMART REV:  We certainly can learn greatly from our past, choosing that which benefited our lives and continue to invest in its value once again, and stray from that which caused us to veer off course, looking at that has a valuable lesson to appreciate more the value that was momentarily displaced. The regained reward of righteousness is worth our repentance and restoration.====JACK:   It was like that in Bible times, too.  As Joshua said, "Choose this day whom you will serve."

FROM CZB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:  Sometimes history gives me comfort knowing we've gotten thru this mess before. (Like right now) Maybe it is not the end of the world after all ;)====JACK:  Each 4 years, there is the "political angst."  Dire predictions if "my favorite" loses...and we seem to be able to recover...until another election rears its head.

FROM HONEST JOHN:  Are we a great nation?    I don't think such an animal exists.   Nor do I accept the idea that we are motivated by any set of ideals.    Do either of the candidates for President represent these ideals?   What candidate ever has?====JACK:  That which makes a nation (or an individual) great is not that it is free from imperfection.  Greatness is found in a basic moral code that is set as a standard.  For me, the 10 Commandments and the parables of Jesus are that standard.  As the old preacher prayed, "O Lord, forgive me for my falling shorts!"====JOHN:  I agree with that and still stand by my original statement.    We are not a little imperfect but a lot imperfect.   The classes on American Ideals have disappeared in large measure from curricular since they were from the realm of myth.====JACK:  Imperfection versus perfection?  A miss is as good as a mile.  Thanks be to God for his grace.====JOHN:  So the imperfection of Ike is no better than the imperfection of Hitler!====JACK:  With God, I don’t that there is a gradation of sin.    But, with us, YES!  ====JOHN:  To God one confesses "sin" and not "sins". 

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Henry said that?  It just goes to prove some people don't know everything.  He may have known cars and assembly lines but he didn't know how much history affects tomorrow.  History is so important to the way we live or lives today and everyday.  We've gotten away from some of America's core values to be politically correct but there is always hope we won't repeat some of the problems we had in our past.  There is always hope.====JACK:  I don't think that he was commenting so much about history as he was commenting on how people are generally focused more on the present and the future than they are on the past.  It usually the old people who look back.  He did have a sense of the value of remembering the past, given Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford museum.

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  Henry Ford was a genius in terms of production and mechanics. His moral character was not to be envied by anyone ( not saying you do). He was a confirmed racist and an non-apologetic anti-semite who practiced his beliefs... Openly.  When I hear quotes or stories about HF,  I hear my father whispering in my ear what HF did in terms of who he associated with, sponsored, and discriminated against.  I can't forget those talks.====JACK:  As it is with many quotes, you have to consider when and under what circumstances they were made.  That goes for the Bible, too.  Not to excuse, HF, but he was talking pre-WW2 when bigotry was rampant and more accepted than it is today.  The voices condemning such talk were fewer and more guarded.  Thanks to God for a father like yours who recognized bigotry and spoke to you about it.

FROM HUNGRY HOWIE:  So the more accurate quote is   Those who don't learn from the lessons and mistakes  of history are doomed to repeat those mistakes.    Actually when I asked Google who said this the response was  Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." The quote is most likely due to George Santayana, and in its original form it read, 'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.' The phrasing itself certainly is catchy.  Sometimes we never remember that the past has much to teach.====JACK:  Giving Henry the benefit of the doubt, he was a "car guy" in the business of getting people to buy his product.  You don't sell old models (history), you focus on the now and the future.  It's the same for today's car manufacturers.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  No matter what he meant, History is NOT bunk! Although it is amazing to me how ignorant of our history many people are, if you are to judge by the  "Man of the street" interviews of passersby by Jay Leno, and other Talk show hosts!  Our history, for the most part, is something to be proud of, with a desire to "carry on" the ideals and principles that made us a great nation.  It does seem we lack the sterling leaders of yore, which does not bode well for future history.  However, Hope does spring eternal in the human breast!!  We lead our little "virtuous" lives to affect our small corner of the world...====JACK:  History is usually written by people who were not there.  They tend to shape it as their mind sees it.  So it may, or may not be bunk.

FROM RJP IN NAPLES:  Was it Franklin who said  "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." I know he said," History keeps a dear school, but a fool will learn in no other"
Sadly far too many in our country fail to learn from history. It is interesting that 230 years ago 55 brave founding fathers struggled to write our constitution, but they did it in 116 days with many of the same issues we face today: Race ( slavery), imports, taxation, monetary problems ( debt) and more which we still have not learned to resolve.  The cycle of life!!!!====JACK:  I've often quoted my first Winning Words..."Virtue is learned at mother's knee; vice is learned at other joints."

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO:  Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life.

FROM HAWKEYE GEORGE:  i agree completely.

FROM GUSTIE MARLYS:  Amen to that.  Love History and Tradition!====JACK:  You and the Fiddler on the Roof...TRADITION!

FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  Two basic platforms provide a sense of security for me. One is the Ten Commandments and the other is the Constitution. Sometimes a board creaks in each, but my sense of spiritual, social, legalistic, and political propriety is underlined by the Constitution...one nation under God".====JACK:  The board creaks when it comes to a definition of "God," that suits all.

FROM WRITER OWEN:  I have heard a noted Civil War historian, retired Virginia Tech professor James I. (Bud) Robertson, say this: "History is the best teacher."    Hope you're doing well. I liked your quote from your 90-year-old mother: "Now I can eat bacon" (or something close to that). ====JACK:  What good is the teacher, if the pupils just want to goof around?  My mom decided to turn in her driver's license when she reached 95.