The text above makes the point I wanted to share !
Indeed the quotes you provided by G.W. Bush and JFK make the very points I have been trying to make for years in this venue, of course much more eloquently and succinctly than I ever could. It strikes me sad to think that some will read these quotes and immediately conclude that they are aimed merely at those with whom they find angry disagreement, all the while missing the opportunity for honest introspection. I think the intent and point here is pretty clear:
In my opinion, based on a few years of observation, that one side of the aisle has become accustomed to belittling, taunting, and bullying those on the other side of the aisle for the views and opinions they hold.[✘]
one side of the aisle has become accustomed to belittling, taunting, and bullying those on the other side of the aisle for the views and opinions they hold
That accurately describes the conduct of numerous Republican politicians for many years. One of the primary proponents of that type of conduct was, of course, Newt Gingrich, a leading Republican who became Speaker of the House until he was forced to resign because of an ethics scandal.
he [Gingrich] transformed the speech of the political right from pointed rhetoric to sheer vitriol, referring to past and present Democratic speakers of the House as “crooks,” “traitors,” and “thugs.
...
“ Gingrich used words like “decay, traitors, radical, sick, destroy, pathetic, corruption, and shame” when referring to Democrats. ”
In fact, Gingrich produced a pamphlet for Republican propagandists (politicians) titled "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" in which he recommended the use of words and phrases such as "anti-child" and "anti-flag", as well as the words quoted above for use when discussing the political opposition, i.e., Democratic politicians.
Today, Trump had adopted and expanded the use of belittling, taunting and bullying far beyond anything seen in the past. In this he is supported by many of his core sycophants including J.D. Vance and Marjorie Taylor Greene among others.
You are correct Gsquared - I feel/felt the same way, that Newt indeed was the start of this agnorance which has continued and devolved into the teabaggers and now today's maga cult. The beginning of the end of reaching across the aisle and compromise and the dissolution of the gop.
To be fair it's a both sides thing. Not everyone on each side. Each has their ubber-partisans who seem willing to fight anything and everyone for what they deem is right and just, and each has their moderates who are willing to kind of discuss.
Problem is neither side seems to be even willing to take a step back. Time has shown us that if one side takes a step back the other will double their attacks. It's truly no-win anymore.
“This above all: to thine own self be true And it must follow, as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man/Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!”
Today, these words of Polonius are pearls of wisdom by Shakespeare on living a good and balanced life.
Meaning of To Thine Own Self Be True
The Elizabethan era audience of Shakespeare was well aware of the meaning of his words, though in modern age, words like “Self” and “True” have different. In fact, this phrase implies multiplicity of meanings. The first meaning is that someone can better judge himself if he has done what he should or could have done. The second meaning is that one must be honest in his ways and relations. The third meaning is that one must always do the right thing. Finally, keeping in view the character of Polonius in the play, many scholars are of the opinion that ‘True’ meant beneficial; therefore, his advice to his son meant that he must think of his own benefit first.
Thank you, Thomas, but most members here know by now that I'm unable to open YoiuTube, so since you posted it in a reply to me I would appreciate your telling me what it is you posted.
It was Hamlet as envisioned by Gilligan and friends. The part that had always stuck in my brain was Polonius (Skipper) telling Layarties (MaryAnne), "Do not a lender nor a spender be. Do not forget:Stay out of debt!" at least that is how I remembered it, quite possibly because it fits the music better than "Nether a borrower nor a lender be... and just one other thing you ought to do, To thine own self be true!"
Morning free...yes some say it was found in a Baltimore church around the 1690s others say some one wrote it 1920s...either way it is still appropriate and relevant today I think...
Hilary Clinton to an audience of donors in New York City, New York
Here's the rest of it:
"Last night I was 'grossly generalistic,' and that's never a good idea. I regret saying 'half' — that was wrong. But let's be clear, what's really 'deplorable' is that Donald Trump hired a major advocate for the so-called 'alt-right' movement to run his campaign and that David Duke and other white supremacists see him as a champion of their values.
It's deplorable that Trump has built his campaign largely on prejudice and paranoia and given a national platform to hateful views and voices, including by retweeting fringe bigots with a few dozen followers and spreading their message to 11 million people. It's deplorable that he's attacked a federal judge for his 'Mexican heritage,' bullied a Gold Star family because of their Muslim faith, and promoted the lie that our first black president is not a true American.
So I won't stop calling out bigotry and racist rhetoric in this campaign. I also meant what I said last night about empathy, and the very real challenges we face as a country where so many people have been left out and left behind. As I said, many of Trump's supporters are hard-working Americans who just don't feel like the economy or our political system are working for them. I'm determined to bring our country together and make our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top. Because we really are 'stronger together.' "
Clinton never bothered speaking the voters because only the institutional elite matter.
Actually I was following that campaign-- I personally saw her speaking to the voters-- on numerous occasions!
Perhaps you can try something else-- maybe try the "Stolen Valor" approach? (Or if that doesn't work-- how about the "Tampons in the Boys' Bathroom" gambit? )
Many people feel that a major issue of great importance!
"Some are born to rule the world, to live their fantasy, but most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be. Sadder still to watch it die than never to have known it. For you the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee." Neil Peart with a nod to Ernest Hemingway.
Do you know the history behind the words "The bell tolls for thee"? It goes back to well before Hemingway used it for his novel, and Hemingway did use the expression correctly, for its original meaning.
PERCHANCE he for whom this bell tolls may be so ill, as that he knows not it tolls for him; and perchance I may think myself so much better than I am, as that they who are about me, and see my state, may have caused it to toll for me, and I know not that.
The church is Catholic, universal, so are all her actions; all that she does belongs to all. When she baptizes a child, that action concerns me; for that child is thereby connected to that body which is my head too, and ingrafted into that body whereof I am a member.
And when she buries a man, that action concerns me: all mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated; God employs several translators; some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice; but God's hand is in every translation, and his hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall lie open to one another.
As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come, so this bell calls us all; but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness. There was a contention as far as a suit (in which both piety and dignity, religion and estimation, were mingled), which of the religious orders should ring to prayers first in the morning; and it was determined, that they should ring first that rose earliest. If we understand aright the dignity of this bell that tolls for our evening prayer, we would be glad to make it ours by rising early, in that application, that it might be ours as well as his, whose indeed it is.
The bell doth toll for him that thinks it doth; and though it intermit again, yet from that minute that that occasion wrought upon him, he is united to God. Who casts not up his eye to the sun when it rises? but who takes off his eye from a comet when that breaks out? Who bends not his ear to any bell which upon any occasion rings? but who can remove it from that bell which is passing a piece of himself out of this world? ______
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.
Neither can we call this a begging of misery, or a borrowing of misery, as though we were not miserable enough of ourselves, but must fetch in more from the next house, in taking upon us the misery of our neighbours. Truly it were an excusable covetousness if we did, for affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it. No man hath affliction enough that is not matured and ripened by and made fit for God by that affliction. If a man carry treasure in bullion, or in a wedge of gold, and have none coined into current money, his treasure will not defray him as he travels. Tribulation is treasure in the nature of it, but it is not current money in the use of it, except we get nearer and nearer our home, heaven, by it.
Another man may be sick too, and sick to death, and this affliction may lie in his bowels, as gold in a mine, and be of no use to him; but this bell, that tells me of his affliction, digs out and applies that gold to me: if by this consideration of another's danger I take mine own into contemplation, and so secure myself, by making my recourse to my God, who is our only security.
Formatting note: I added some breaks in the paragraph to make it easier to read on a computer screen. The only Break in the original is indicated by the underscore.
Thank you Thomas. Now to connect to why and how Hemingway made use of it for his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. The key is Donne's line "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." Donne is saying that we are all connected, a part of one another, and should one of us die, we all die a little.
The way I was taught to understand it in a simple way - back in those days there was no method of mass communication as we have now, but if a person were to die in the village, the church would toll its bell, and the people would go to the church to find out who died. Donne is saying to not go to the Church to seek out who died, because it was tolling for all of us - when one person died, we all died a little, because as I said above, we are all a part of each other, we are all so connected.
And so the American in the novel went to Spain and joined the people in their cause against the fascists because in his mind they were a part of him and he was a part of them, their cause became his cause. Just as like we are all pages in a book. That is why Hemingway used the expression For Whom the Bell Tolls for the title, as it was also the theme.
The text above makes the point I wanted to share !
Indeed the quotes you provided by G.W. Bush and JFK make the very points I have been trying to make for years in this venue, of course much more eloquently and succinctly than I ever could. It strikes me sad to think that some will read these quotes and immediately conclude that they are aimed merely at those with whom they find angry disagreement, all the while missing the opportunity for honest introspection. I think the intent and point here is pretty clear:
So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
In my opinion, based on a few years of observation, that one side of the aisle has become accustomed to belittling, taunting, and bullying those on the other side of the aisle for the views and opinions they hold.[✘]
That accurately describes the conduct of numerous Republican politicians for many years. One of the primary proponents of that type of conduct was, of course, Newt Gingrich, a leading Republican who became Speaker of the House until he was forced to resign because of an ethics scandal.
In fact, Gingrich produced a pamphlet for Republican propagandists (politicians) titled "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" in which he recommended the use of words and phrases such as "anti-child" and "anti-flag", as well as the words quoted above for use when discussing the political opposition, i.e., Democratic politicians.
Today, Trump had adopted and expanded the use of belittling, taunting and bullying far beyond anything seen in the past. In this he is supported by many of his core sycophants including J.D. Vance and Marjorie Taylor Greene among others.
You are correct Gsquared - I feel/felt the same way, that Newt indeed was the start of this agnorance which has continued and devolved into the teabaggers and now today's maga cult. The beginning of the end of reaching across the aisle and compromise and the dissolution of the gop.
To be fair it's a both sides thing. Not everyone on each side. Each has their ubber-partisans who seem willing to fight anything and everyone for what they deem is right and just, and each has their moderates who are willing to kind of discuss.
Problem is neither side seems to be even willing to take a step back. Time has shown us that if one side takes a step back the other will double their attacks. It's truly no-win anymore.
Morning..out of all the sayings I like this one the best..
It seems rather relevant, even in today's society...and one I take to heart..
Not my text...
How about this....
LINK -> To Thine Own Self Be True - Meaning, Origin, and Usage (literarydevices.net)
It is the last of all advice given by Polonius to his son Laertes before he was leaving for France.
And now for something completely different, but it's not Monty Python
Thank you, Thomas, but most members here know by now that I'm unable to open YoiuTube, so since you posted it in a reply to me I would appreciate your telling me what it is you posted.
A skit from Gilligan's island and they are doing a play quoting Shakespeare ..
Thank you, shona1.
Sorry, Buzz.
Thank you, Shona.
It was Hamlet as envisioned by Gilligan and friends. The part that had always stuck in my brain was Polonius (Skipper) telling Layarties (MaryAnne), "Do not a lender nor a spender be. Do not forget:Stay out of debt!" at least that is how I remembered it, quite possibly because it fits the music better than "Nether a borrower nor a lender be... and just one other thing you ought to do, To thine own self be true!"
Apology is unnecessary. No problem.
Excellent post Shona! Words of wisdom indeed!
Morning free...yes some say it was found in a Baltimore church around the 1690s others say some one wrote it 1920s...either way it is still appropriate and relevant today I think...
Indeed!
Too err is human, to forgive, divine. Alexander Pope, 18th century poet.
[✘]
[✘]
We often think of heroine's as being noble females.
But be forewarned-- don't let them near your sons for those sorts of women can be seductive-- addictive-- and heroine's will ruins their lives!
Here's the rest of it:
"Last night I was 'grossly generalistic,' and that's never a good idea. I regret saying 'half' — that was wrong. But let's be clear, what's really 'deplorable' is that Donald Trump hired a major advocate for the so-called 'alt-right' movement to run his campaign and that David Duke and other white supremacists see him as a champion of their values.
It's deplorable that Trump has built his campaign largely on prejudice and paranoia and given a national platform to hateful views and voices, including by retweeting fringe bigots with a few dozen followers and spreading their message to 11 million people. It's deplorable that he's attacked a federal judge for his 'Mexican heritage,' bullied a Gold Star family because of their Muslim faith, and promoted the lie that our first black president is not a true American.
So I won't stop calling out bigotry and racist rhetoric in this campaign. I also meant what I said last night about empathy, and the very real challenges we face as a country where so many people have been left out and left behind. As I said, many of Trump's supporters are hard-working Americans who just don't feel like the economy or our political system are working for them. I'm determined to bring our country together and make our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top. Because we really are 'stronger together.' "
[✘]
Actually I was following that campaign-- I personally saw her speaking to the voters-- on numerous occasions!
Perhaps you can try something else-- maybe try the "Stolen Valor" approach? (Or if that doesn't work-- how about the "Tampons in the Boys' Bathroom" gambit? )
Many people feel that a major issue of great importance!
[✘]
Excellent Krishna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Some are born to rule the world, to live their fantasy, but most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be. Sadder still to watch it die than never to have known it. For you the blind who once could see, the bell tolls for thee." Neil Peart with a nod to Ernest Hemingway.
Rush - "Losing It"
Do you know the history behind the words "The bell tolls for thee"? It goes back to well before Hemingway used it for his novel, and Hemingway did use the expression correctly, for its original meaning.
I learned that in some English Literature course I took-- many Moons ago. But I forgot it.
So I googled it.
And to my surprise I found more than one answer!
John Donne's Meditation XVII, written in the early 17th century.
Formatting note: I added some breaks in the paragraph to make it easier to read on a computer screen. The only Break in the original is indicated by the underscore.
Thank you Thomas. Now to connect to why and how Hemingway made use of it for his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls. The key is Donne's line "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." Donne is saying that we are all connected, a part of one another, and should one of us die, we all die a little.
The way I was taught to understand it in a simple way - back in those days there was no method of mass communication as we have now, but if a person were to die in the village, the church would toll its bell, and the people would go to the church to find out who died. Donne is saying to not go to the Church to seek out who died, because it was tolling for all of us - when one person died, we all died a little, because as I said above, we are all a part of each other, we are all so connected.
And so the American in the novel went to Spain and joined the people in their cause against the fascists because in his mind they were a part of him and he was a part of them, their cause became his cause. Just as like we are all pages in a book. That is why Hemingway used the expression For Whom the Bell Tolls for the title, as it was also the theme.
The study of English Literature was so rewarding.
It appears, Thomas, that English lessons are not exactly appreciated on this site save for a very few - as I learned by posting Jane Austen articles.