Jack’s Winning Words 12/8/17
“Yesterday, December 7, a day that will live in infamy…”  (Franklin D. Roosevelt)  I recall how people used to gather around the radio to hear FDR’s “Fireside Chats.”  He spoke with confidence during the Great Depression and the dark days of WW 2.  He was well-spoken, not fearing to use a word like, infamy.  It was nothing like we are accustomed to hearing today.  To a fearful people, he allayed their fear:  “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”    ;-)  Jack

FROM JULIEM:  Good morning - I definitely need to use N. Hill’s quote as a mantra today. It is a good one to share!====JACK:  No plan is definitely a problem for some people...and no impetus to work is another.

FROM HONEST JOHN: I have heard tapes of FDR and he was good.   He helped to teach us that a Depression can be countered by a stimulus program.     There was a brief setback in the late 30s but in general, most economists agree, it worked.    He was also a great international leader.    He sensed the ruthlessness of Hitler that was missed by the Isolationist crowd.   He was ruthless which is an attribute if so many successful leaders in crisis situations.   Fortunately, in the long run, his ruthlessness did not work to harm or destroy us.   My first memory of him was to listen to his funeral on the radio...I was six at the time.====JACK:  I would rather have a speaker "challenge" with words than to "dumb down" what he has to say.  But, I guess the purpose of a speech is to get understanding.

FROM RS IN TEXAS:  While I never heard him speak, your point about allaying people’s fears (and bringing them together), was important- and I’m sure welcome. We could use more of that today as opposed to the divisiveness we hear so often.=====JACK:  I think that basic source of our divided country is fear...on both sides, and in the middle, too.====RS:  Yes - and lumping people into one political party or another and then saying everyone in that party is good (or bad).

FROM ST PAUL IN ST PAUL:  i recall reading somewhere that FDR revised that speech several times and i think the infamy word was not in the original text but got added just before he went on the air.  such are the quirks of history.   we went to the Concordia Christmas Concert last night at Orchestra Hall. i know i am biased but it was outstanding!  300 voices and full orchestra and some fabulous music.  what a gift good music is to this season.====JACK:  Could you write a definition of "infamy" without looking it up, first?====PAUL:  not exactly.   do you want to now look it up for me?   i am guessing "a day they will not be forgotten for a long time to come" but infamy is surely shorter!====JACK:  I'm not doing your work for you.

FROM TARMART REV:  I like that kind of leadership in government and the pulpit as well. ====JACK:  As I've quoted before..."The task of the pastor is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable."

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  The biography of the Roosevelts that I read was fascinating: I think it was titled NO ORDINARY TIME, EXCELLENT, and well researched. Eleanor was his eyes and ears in the country, after he became paralyzed. She reported to him every night during his Presidency, tho they were not close as man and wife...These days the specter of Nuclear War has again reared it ugly head! :-(====JACK:  "The good old days" had their problems, too.  The pain of the present seems to hurt more than the pain of the past...but pain is pain.

FROM HUNGRY HOWIE:  I wonder how many people under 30 knew what yesterday was? ====JACK:  I wonder how many of them understand what the initials, FDR, stand for?

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  It's one of those quotes the young fellows don’t remember.  We would be better off if everyone remembered more of those famous words.  I remember having to match the quotes with the people who said them.====JACK:  "Ask now what your country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country."