Edwards Supporters: Grown-up, Wise Words from Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. about Activism/Idealism

One of my favorite American jurists, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., had these wise words for young law students:

“For I say unto you in all sadness of conviction that to think great thoughts you must be heroes as well as idealists. Only when you have worked alone - when you have felt around you are a black gulf of solitude more isolating than that which surrounds the dying man, and in hope and despair have trusted to your own unshaken will - then only can you gain the secret isolated joy of the thinker, who knows that a hundred years after he is dead and forgotten men who have never heard of him will be moving to the measure of his thought - the subtle rapture of postponed power, which the world knows not because it has no external trappings, but which to his prophetic vision is more real than that which commands an army. And if this joy should not be yours, still it is only thus you can know that you have done what lay in you to do - can say that you have lived, and be ready for the end.”

My screenname is an homage, in large part, to Holmes. Time and time and time again, I have found that it is best to http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4250468&mesg_id=4250468">do your research thoroughly, and then http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4242078&mesg_id=4242078">act.

In the 7 days between now and Tsunami Tuesday, let us buck each other up, but let us also exhort one another with good, practical, pragmatic ideas for how to help John, Elizabeth, and their entire lovely family.

John has already forced the campaign to move to the measure of his thought (all the memes that the other two remaining candidates have borrowed). This power has been postponed long enough.

Onward, idealistic heroes and heroic idealists for Edwards!

- Dave

... is a particular favorite of mine. Sturdy, with great features: I'm guessing I'd be a fan of Neo-Edwardian Architecture, too!

: )

- Dave

In South Carolina debate, Edwards was ask what he would do to stimulate the economy, Edwards replied jobs in the greeen sector...Yesterday aft.Bush, Obama was interview, and what did he say, the exact thing that he said in S.C. then added Edwards idea of Green Jobs.

where there was an article about Obama and HRC and the author clearly stated all their ideas are old hat to Edwards' supporters and he has forced them to address issues which were non-existent to them before....aka poverty.

... in Denver!

: )

- Dave

It applies to much in our lives. Planting the seeds for change is something we must find satisfaction in - otherwise frustration takes over.

... and some of the best times in my life were spent doing the prep work to reap the harvest.

: )

The lessons learned there have served me in good stead. But I can't grow corn half as good as he could.

- Dave

to that seed planting.
:)

... that the seeds practically take root on contact.

- Dave

:thumbsup:

I enjoyed your post. Very inspiring!

This Holmes quotation is fitting too, I think:

"We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but sail we must and not drift nor lie at anchor."

Go, Edwards! :patriot:

He is on my list of people to have beers with in Heaven, or to carry a sixpack to in Hell.

:toast:

- Dave

Thank you for the heads-up!

:hug:

- Dave

See the message this is replying to, please.

Thank you!

:grouphug:

- Dave

"If we do our duty, if we meet our responsibilities and our obligations, not just as Democrats, but as American citizens in our local cities and towns and farms and our states and in the country as a whole, then this generation of Americans is going to be the best generation in the history of mankind."

... Bobby transformed the lives of those he touched.

Born years after he was killed, his was the name most frequently spoken in respectful whispers, from my great-grandmother on down. The only pics in her living room that weren't family were FDR and the Kennedy brothers.

- Dave

:yourock:

ONWARDS!!!

... they're going to collect some overdue taxes from some scoflaw corporations.

- Dave

K&R!

... and one activity, per day, now thru Tsunami Tuesday.

- Dave

... some fact-finding Edwards types got a whole bunch of additional ammo out of their stockpile, without them even noticing.

- Dave

:applause: :patriot:

:patriot:

- Dave

:patriot:

:patriot:

Which branch?

- Dave

Air Tactical Control Squadron.

My grandfather taught pilots in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

Have you seen the new Air Force Memorial?



- Dave

ATC, not a pilot (zipperfreak) Your granddaddy taught pilots? Bet that was annoying. LOL

Yup, he had some stories about pilots.

Yes, this is on the hill overlooking the Pentagon, at the annex.

- Dave

Very nice monument. I approve. :applause:

http://www.airforcememorial.org/

Yup, he used to disrupt her classes barnstorming before the war, and also by parking the fire truck (volunteer firefighter chief) outside. The kids loved it.

- Dave

Then ordered a young woman sterilized.

... that wouldn't come up, but since you've raised it, you're right. He did. It's a wretched mark on an otherwise brilliant compendium of legal writings.

Too bad, too, because it could be the rallying cry for no more Bushes.

- Dave

:toast:

- Dave

Write-in in Nov....if things get shoved the way we know isn't the best way....

... and plan to do everything possible to see that goal met.

- Dave

Thanks for posting this. I will not give up, Edwards speaks for the people, the other two just speak at each other!

Keep fighting.

- Dave