Four Score, and Ask Not.....
They represent the very best of us at times and the flawed humanity of "us" at others. They inspire the world, and sometimes set the course for our entire civilization. They are the 43 men who have served as President of the United State of America. Yes, there have been 44 presidents in all, except President Grover Cleveland served as both the 22nd and 24th and of course others have served back-to-back presidencies. Anyway, clever useless Jeopardy factoids aside, today we celebrate Presidents Day.
While very few of us will think too deeply about this day off, which happens far too commonly these days on our national holidays, it is still an important day to remember the highest office in the land, and possibly the most impacting job on the planet.
What U.S. presidents have done more than anything else over time is change the course of history. Since the very first of our presidents George Washington stood up against British tyranny, to our current president Barrack Obama who struggles with the challenges of today's complex global community, they have literally changed the course of humankind.
Some are well regarded for their great vision like John Kennedy who during his inauguration challenged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". These days too few of us ask what we can do for anyone anytime. We're too consumed with the all important "me".
Yes we've had our share of presidents who were less than inspirational. We've had our share of presidents who seemed to divide us more than unite us. Yet no one man has ever truly stolen the greatness of the position for its greatness comes every 4 years, when the people (and yes I know its not that simple) have the opportunity to choose.
It is far from a perfect system, but look across the middle and far east the last few weeks as self-appointed leaders fight to keep regimes which have lasted 30+ years. As the masses rise up and call for the end of governments which have suppressed rights we take for granted. No, ours is not a perfect system, but for 235 years (almost), 44 presidents have come and gone and none has ever fought his departure with violence.
I think the first president I actually fully remember as a child was Jimmy Carter. I remember watching President Ronald Reagan's inauguration address and the news cutting to President Carter as he quietly flew off in a helicopter from the White House grounds. The peaceful transition of power. Pretty cool. I remember my mom telling me "you have no idea how rare this is in our world son". I didn't truly appreciate it then, but I do today.
As divisive as our politics are these days one thing we know for sure. Whether in the next election or the one following, our current president will quietly slip away on his successor's inauguration day and on that day, we will all still be as divisive as we are today. Yet none of us will be able to point to a regime that kept its power through violence at the end of a gun.
If you are so jaded you can't find any other reason to celebrate our presidents today, maybe you can at least celebrate the process which is the envy of all freedom-loving people around the world. Just a thought.
While very few of us will think too deeply about this day off, which happens far too commonly these days on our national holidays, it is still an important day to remember the highest office in the land, and possibly the most impacting job on the planet.
What U.S. presidents have done more than anything else over time is change the course of history. Since the very first of our presidents George Washington stood up against British tyranny, to our current president Barrack Obama who struggles with the challenges of today's complex global community, they have literally changed the course of humankind.
Some are well regarded for their great vision like John Kennedy who during his inauguration challenged Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". These days too few of us ask what we can do for anyone anytime. We're too consumed with the all important "me".
Yes we've had our share of presidents who were less than inspirational. We've had our share of presidents who seemed to divide us more than unite us. Yet no one man has ever truly stolen the greatness of the position for its greatness comes every 4 years, when the people (and yes I know its not that simple) have the opportunity to choose.
It is far from a perfect system, but look across the middle and far east the last few weeks as self-appointed leaders fight to keep regimes which have lasted 30+ years. As the masses rise up and call for the end of governments which have suppressed rights we take for granted. No, ours is not a perfect system, but for 235 years (almost), 44 presidents have come and gone and none has ever fought his departure with violence.
I think the first president I actually fully remember as a child was Jimmy Carter. I remember watching President Ronald Reagan's inauguration address and the news cutting to President Carter as he quietly flew off in a helicopter from the White House grounds. The peaceful transition of power. Pretty cool. I remember my mom telling me "you have no idea how rare this is in our world son". I didn't truly appreciate it then, but I do today.
As divisive as our politics are these days one thing we know for sure. Whether in the next election or the one following, our current president will quietly slip away on his successor's inauguration day and on that day, we will all still be as divisive as we are today. Yet none of us will be able to point to a regime that kept its power through violence at the end of a gun.
If you are so jaded you can't find any other reason to celebrate our presidents today, maybe you can at least celebrate the process which is the envy of all freedom-loving people around the world. Just a thought.
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