There was a good article in the NY Times recently on why Edmund Burke still matters, The 18th century statesman/conservative philosopher is most prominently known for his oft quoted phrase that all it takes for evil to prosper is for men of good character to remain silent.
Burke was a realist-philosopher. Beyond concepts, he advocated moral actions and honest governance.
And he also said this:
"The law touches us but here and there, and now and then. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt of debase, barbarize or refine us...They give us their whole form and color to our lives. According to their quality, they aid morals, they supply them, or they totally destroy them."
Wise words, especially to our robed readers who often act as if their pronouncement of the law is more important than how they deliver it. Moses they most often are not.
Another NY Times article Sunday is generating controversy. Columnist Maureen Dowd, (not a favourite) wrote that is has been 36 years since a man chose a woman to run with him on a major presidential ticket. Dowd was writing about Walter Mondale's selection of NY Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro to be his running mate. Twitter exploded with everyone from Hilary Clinton reminding Dowd that she ran with Senator Tim Kane just four years ago.
But Dowd is right and the criticism wrong. She did not write that it has been 36 years since a man and woman ran together on a major presidential ticket. She wrote that it has been that long since a man chose a woman as a running mate.
Query: Who should Biden pick? Senator Harris seems the most likely choice.
Our suggestion: Barack Obama. We need leadership at all levels and we need it now. If you listened to Obama's eulogy of Congressman Lewis recently like we did, then you realized all over again just how gifted he is a a speaker, leader, and person of principles.