I so want to comment on the historic health care bill that Congress passed this last week. But I promised in my last posting that I would talk about why I titled this blog "In The Arena."
President Theodore Roosevelt, one of our greatest presidents in my opinion--came up with this concept or statement. Roosevelt knew firsthand what it meant to be "In The Arena." From the rough and tumble New York City politics of the late 1800s, to a young New York Assemblyman, to losing his young wife, to his years in the badlands as a cowboy as he healed from his wife's death, to working as a trust buster and civil service commissioner under both Presidents Cleveland (D) and Harrison (R), to serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, to leading his "Rough Riders" to defeat the Spanish Army up San Juan Hill, to governor of New York, to Vice President and eventually succeeding an assasinated President McKinley.
As President, Theodore Roosevelt or as he is affectionately known as "TR," he made significant accomplishments domestically as well as in foreign policy--including winning the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to end the Russo-Japanese War. But my purpose here is not to go into all of TRs accomplishments.
In the latter years of his life, during much reflection--Roosevelt wrote these words to honor those willing to put themselves on the line to deal with the greater issues of the day. His words were meant to give credence to those willing to get into the "arena" as the gladiators once did--and fight! Regardless of what one's political preferences are or where they stand on the issues--TR believed that our nation was great because of all those who have been willing to step into the arena and be steadfast for what they believed. Here are his words:
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
"Citizenship in a Republic,"Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
TR's words here are so eloquent--and so needed today. In a time when our nation is struggling in so many ways--we need good men and women willing to stand up and fight for what they believe. We need leaders who believe in leaving their community and their nation better than it was. Regardless of their political views--WE NEED GOOD CITIZENS WHO CARE AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Not politicians who just want to be elected and serve in high office.
So often we see people who complain about everything from high taxes to how their tax dollars are used--and yet--those same people often don't have time to go vote. They don't have time to volunteer to help their community in some way. They don't have time to serve in PTA. They don't have time to do much of anything other than take care of their own little nest. But boy can they complain!
We need citizens who are willing to get into the fight and the conversation--to improve their nation!
I really can't stand much of the ugly dialogue and harshness I see from many folks in the Tea Party. I don't agree with many of their positions as well as how a few of them conduct themselves. But I greatly admire the fact that they are willing to get out of their comfort zone to stand up for what they believe! As opposed to those who just enjoy "living off the fat of our land" if you will--but don't want to have to be burdened with doing anything for their fellow man.
John Kennedy, in his inaugural address said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."
Its time we started thinking along those lines. Its time we all got in arena in some way.
Lets have a conversation.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
I Love Bonham, Texas!!!
I had said I was going to use this blog entry to talk about why I titled this blog "In The Arena," but today was not meant for that. Sometimes we just have to adjust to the moment. My wife has taught me that among many other things.
I am in Bonham, Texas this week--having some "get away--me and God" time and enjoying myself much and relaxing. Its for me to have some good prayer-meditation time, do a little ministry work with no distractions, and also enjoy myself. I think I am enjoying myself a little more than I am working but thats ok. God rested on the 7th day. :)
I love Bonham and have for many years. Its a beautiful little town with a lot of rich history and substance. The town is named after James Bonham, a man who had quite a legacy of his own.
Bonham was an aide to South Carolina Governor James Hamilton Jr. during the Nullification Crises of 1832--and he spoke out very harshly against President Jackson. Bonham went on to serve in the South Carolina Militia before eventually going to Texas to serve alongside his cousin William Barrett Travis. General Houston found Bonham to be a worthy army officer and appointed him Major in the new Texas Army. Bonham was killed in the final days of the siege of the Alamo manning one of the cannons.
My greatest hero I fondly admire though is a former native Bonham resident, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn. While "Mr. Sam" as he was affectionately called by Bonhamites (hope Bonham residents are ok with that term :) ) passed away in November of 1961, his legacy lives on in American History and American Politics.
Sam Rayburn was a rare politician. He married as a young man, but that didn't take and he remained single the rest of his life. The House of Representatives was his wife for many years! Rayburn went to school at what is not East Texas A and M Commerce and he taught school for a while after he graduated. Sam ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives at 24 years old and 6 years later, became Texas House Speaker. A few years later, he would go on to win election to the U.S. House of Reps in 1912 and would remain in that office until he died in 1961.
I say Rayburn was a rare politician because he was just not your typical cut throat do whatever it takes to get elected and screw your opponents every chance you get kinda Congressman. He was a humble man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. Oh sure, he knew how to get things done and he was always up for a good fight. But when the fight was over, he was still a friend and a beloved colleague.
There is a story of when Joe Martin (House Republican Leader in the late 40s and early 50s) had lost the speakership due to the Democrats taking back over Congress in 1954. Martin was very sad and many of his Republican members were threatening mutiny and wanting to strip him of the the job of House GOP leader. Rayburn and Martin were good friends. When Martin sat down to meet with Rayburn to discuss transitioning him moving back into the Minority Leader's office and Rayburn back into the Speaker's very nice and ornate office--Rayburn had this to say: "Joe, all this moving back and forth business is getting old--why don't we just leave things like they are."
Wow, we don't see that kind of humility today do we? Most of the time when the Dems and Repubs are shouting at each other--they rarely ever even know each other and thats sad! Whatever happened to division stopping at the water's edge?
And Rayburn was truly a leader and was respected by not only his House colleagues--but all the leaders in Washington during his years as Speaker. (All 17 of those years). Many times when the a House majority had its mind made up on a particular bill or motion--if the Speaker was really impassioned about that issue--he would make a rare floor appearance and speak his position--and suddenly many members would change their votes to go the way he wanted to go. Not because they feared him--but because he just commanded that kind of respect and honor. WE NEED LEADERS LIKE THAT TODAY--IN BOTH PARTIES!!!
I could say so much more about "Mr. Sam." But if you are ever up near Bonham--go visit the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum. Its a wonderful place full of rich history of a great American leader.
God Bless,
Bruce
I am in Bonham, Texas this week--having some "get away--me and God" time and enjoying myself much and relaxing. Its for me to have some good prayer-meditation time, do a little ministry work with no distractions, and also enjoy myself. I think I am enjoying myself a little more than I am working but thats ok. God rested on the 7th day. :)
I love Bonham and have for many years. Its a beautiful little town with a lot of rich history and substance. The town is named after James Bonham, a man who had quite a legacy of his own.
Bonham was an aide to South Carolina Governor James Hamilton Jr. during the Nullification Crises of 1832--and he spoke out very harshly against President Jackson. Bonham went on to serve in the South Carolina Militia before eventually going to Texas to serve alongside his cousin William Barrett Travis. General Houston found Bonham to be a worthy army officer and appointed him Major in the new Texas Army. Bonham was killed in the final days of the siege of the Alamo manning one of the cannons.
My greatest hero I fondly admire though is a former native Bonham resident, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn. While "Mr. Sam" as he was affectionately called by Bonhamites (hope Bonham residents are ok with that term :) ) passed away in November of 1961, his legacy lives on in American History and American Politics.
Sam Rayburn was a rare politician. He married as a young man, but that didn't take and he remained single the rest of his life. The House of Representatives was his wife for many years! Rayburn went to school at what is not East Texas A and M Commerce and he taught school for a while after he graduated. Sam ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives at 24 years old and 6 years later, became Texas House Speaker. A few years later, he would go on to win election to the U.S. House of Reps in 1912 and would remain in that office until he died in 1961.
I say Rayburn was a rare politician because he was just not your typical cut throat do whatever it takes to get elected and screw your opponents every chance you get kinda Congressman. He was a humble man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. Oh sure, he knew how to get things done and he was always up for a good fight. But when the fight was over, he was still a friend and a beloved colleague.
There is a story of when Joe Martin (House Republican Leader in the late 40s and early 50s) had lost the speakership due to the Democrats taking back over Congress in 1954. Martin was very sad and many of his Republican members were threatening mutiny and wanting to strip him of the the job of House GOP leader. Rayburn and Martin were good friends. When Martin sat down to meet with Rayburn to discuss transitioning him moving back into the Minority Leader's office and Rayburn back into the Speaker's very nice and ornate office--Rayburn had this to say: "Joe, all this moving back and forth business is getting old--why don't we just leave things like they are."
Wow, we don't see that kind of humility today do we? Most of the time when the Dems and Repubs are shouting at each other--they rarely ever even know each other and thats sad! Whatever happened to division stopping at the water's edge?
And Rayburn was truly a leader and was respected by not only his House colleagues--but all the leaders in Washington during his years as Speaker. (All 17 of those years). Many times when the a House majority had its mind made up on a particular bill or motion--if the Speaker was really impassioned about that issue--he would make a rare floor appearance and speak his position--and suddenly many members would change their votes to go the way he wanted to go. Not because they feared him--but because he just commanded that kind of respect and honor. WE NEED LEADERS LIKE THAT TODAY--IN BOTH PARTIES!!!
I could say so much more about "Mr. Sam." But if you are ever up near Bonham--go visit the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum. Its a wonderful place full of rich history of a great American leader.
God Bless,
Bruce
Thursday, March 18, 2010
New Blog
Dear Friends and Patriots,
Most of you who know me know that I am a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! That is what my vocation would be considered--even though I don't consider what I do a job. It is more a calling and a labor of love! However, I am grateful that at least for now it does provide for my family.
Many of you know that I have a blog already thats primarily to discusss life in ministry as well as many important topics before the Lord's Church these days. However, this new blog I am starting "In The Arena" is a little different. Some of you know that long before I went into ministry, I spent my teen years and all of my 20s and early 30s heavily involved in government and the political process.
I reserved a different blog to discuss political matters--because I try as best I can to separate my Christian views and focus from some of my more political in nature views. I don't believe we can ever completely separate them--but I think there needs to be some healthy divide. I don't want to ever confuse or in any way make politics appear more important than what pleases God--HE is our only one true leader and King!!! But since politics and government are a part of our lives--perhaps its ok for preachers to speak out also. I will try to always do so fairly and kindly.
Let me share my story of a former life spent in the trenches of politics.
I grew up around the Mesquite City Hall in the 70s and 80s when my later father, Elland Archer was the City Attorney. When I was 10, I got to accompany my dad to Washington where he tried a case for the city before the United States Supreme Court. I remember sitting in that large courtroom and watching my dad stand before legends like Chief Justice Warren Burger, newly appointed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Thurgood Marshall to name a few. I knew then I wanted to be involved in the political process, although perhaps not necessarily law. I remember that President Reagan had taken office just a few months before and it was an exciting time in Washington. I was just mesmerized by that early visit of Washington--a city full of history that I had read about so much as a boy already.
When I was about 16, I started volunteering in political campaigns. I started out as a Republican because my dad was an Eisenhower Republican and thats what I knew. I worked in numerous campaigns from city council, mayor, state legislative races, U.S. House races, and eventually worked very actively in then State Treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate race. I worked as in intern for Senator Hutchison for about a year in her Dallas office a couple of years after she was elected. I was very involved with student government at Eastfield Community College and was a Student Senator for a year. I also wrote for the Eastfield Et Cetera, doing mostly political stories and writing columns/op ed pieces. However, being involved in politics and being a student did not so much pay the bills and I eventually had to make some money.
I got into restaurant management for several years and continued to be acitive in my community of Mesquite. I served on what used to be called The Mesquite Historical Commission (now called Historic Mesquite Inc.) for a couple of years and later served on the Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission. During much of that time, I was a manager at CiCi's Pizza in South Mesquite for 8 years. During that time, I began to have a change of heart on many of my political views. While I considered myself somewhat of a social conservative, I found myself moving to a more progressive/democratic point of view. I tutored for a few years at a low income school in Mesquite and worked with many low income children as well as many teachers who were all struggling together to carve out some kind of future. I looked closely at many of the positive impacts FDR and later LBJ had on the lives of the "little people" in America and was very moved by it.
So in 2000, I cut my teeth on my first political race. I was 29 and on fire to do good! I was very naive and ran for state representative as a conservative democrat in a heavy republican district--with George W. Bush on the national ticket. Needless to say, I did not win--but it was an incredible experience and I gathered much more support than anyone expected--including myself! :) Two years later, I ran for a county office (Dallas County District Clerk) in the democratic primary--and was expected to win--as I had a strong name and good credentials in the party. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, my primary opponent was a woman whose recent name had become "Kay Hutchison." She campaigned not a bit, received no endorsements, spent not a dime and I was sure to win. And win I did--in early voting--which is generally where more educated voters vote. However, on election day--she beat me and I lost the primary election 51 to 49 or so I think. I was so crushed and could not believe it!
Whats even crazier is that she was kicked off the ballot a few months later due to a judge saying her name was not on the up and up. The party chair then offered me the first choice to be back on the ballot. By then however, I had married the love of my life, Christi, and had taken on new and more important priorities--including two small step-children. But it would not have mattered, it would be another 4 years before the democrats would take back Dallas County. So I got involved in a few other races and helped them and then slowly pulled out of politics. Not because I suddenly disliked it, but that it had been too important to me for too many years. It was time for me to focus on other things.
Since those days, taking care of my family and serving the Lord by taking Jesus to the impoverished and more difficult parts of Mesquite has been my top priorities. But I do love my country very much and believe that until Jesus comes back--we can still make our country and community better. I no longer subscribe to a particular party or have my feet positioned as either a Republican or a Democrat. I find myself fairly conservative on some of the social issues of the day--and fairly progressive when it comes to economic justice and making life a little better for the working poor and the vulnerables of our nation. So really I don't much fit into either party.
So since I am an average citizen and voter, I get to now express how I feel about the issues of the day without having to worry about whether or not it will cost me votes or get me elected. So as I write on this blog what I hope will be regular, I will side with whichever party or elected officials who I happen to think is right on each individual issue. What you can expect from this blog--is NO PARTISAN POLITICS! You can expect to always read about the fact that I believe in our system of government and I am an American first. Which means I respect those who have been put in authority, even when I don't agree with them. I believe there is no room for hate and ugliness in the political process. I greatly appreciate and value and honor both President Obama as well as the leaders of the Republican Party and other partisan elected officials nationwide of both major political parties.
In my next blog, I will discuss why this blog is titled "In The Arena." So, LETS HAVE A CONVERSATION!
Bruce Archer
Mesquite, Texas
Most of you who know me know that I am a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! That is what my vocation would be considered--even though I don't consider what I do a job. It is more a calling and a labor of love! However, I am grateful that at least for now it does provide for my family.
Many of you know that I have a blog already thats primarily to discusss life in ministry as well as many important topics before the Lord's Church these days. However, this new blog I am starting "In The Arena" is a little different. Some of you know that long before I went into ministry, I spent my teen years and all of my 20s and early 30s heavily involved in government and the political process.
I reserved a different blog to discuss political matters--because I try as best I can to separate my Christian views and focus from some of my more political in nature views. I don't believe we can ever completely separate them--but I think there needs to be some healthy divide. I don't want to ever confuse or in any way make politics appear more important than what pleases God--HE is our only one true leader and King!!! But since politics and government are a part of our lives--perhaps its ok for preachers to speak out also. I will try to always do so fairly and kindly.
Let me share my story of a former life spent in the trenches of politics.
I grew up around the Mesquite City Hall in the 70s and 80s when my later father, Elland Archer was the City Attorney. When I was 10, I got to accompany my dad to Washington where he tried a case for the city before the United States Supreme Court. I remember sitting in that large courtroom and watching my dad stand before legends like Chief Justice Warren Burger, newly appointed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Thurgood Marshall to name a few. I knew then I wanted to be involved in the political process, although perhaps not necessarily law. I remember that President Reagan had taken office just a few months before and it was an exciting time in Washington. I was just mesmerized by that early visit of Washington--a city full of history that I had read about so much as a boy already.
When I was about 16, I started volunteering in political campaigns. I started out as a Republican because my dad was an Eisenhower Republican and thats what I knew. I worked in numerous campaigns from city council, mayor, state legislative races, U.S. House races, and eventually worked very actively in then State Treasurer Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate race. I worked as in intern for Senator Hutchison for about a year in her Dallas office a couple of years after she was elected. I was very involved with student government at Eastfield Community College and was a Student Senator for a year. I also wrote for the Eastfield Et Cetera, doing mostly political stories and writing columns/op ed pieces. However, being involved in politics and being a student did not so much pay the bills and I eventually had to make some money.
I got into restaurant management for several years and continued to be acitive in my community of Mesquite. I served on what used to be called The Mesquite Historical Commission (now called Historic Mesquite Inc.) for a couple of years and later served on the Mesquite Planning and Zoning Commission. During much of that time, I was a manager at CiCi's Pizza in South Mesquite for 8 years. During that time, I began to have a change of heart on many of my political views. While I considered myself somewhat of a social conservative, I found myself moving to a more progressive/democratic point of view. I tutored for a few years at a low income school in Mesquite and worked with many low income children as well as many teachers who were all struggling together to carve out some kind of future. I looked closely at many of the positive impacts FDR and later LBJ had on the lives of the "little people" in America and was very moved by it.
So in 2000, I cut my teeth on my first political race. I was 29 and on fire to do good! I was very naive and ran for state representative as a conservative democrat in a heavy republican district--with George W. Bush on the national ticket. Needless to say, I did not win--but it was an incredible experience and I gathered much more support than anyone expected--including myself! :) Two years later, I ran for a county office (Dallas County District Clerk) in the democratic primary--and was expected to win--as I had a strong name and good credentials in the party. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, my primary opponent was a woman whose recent name had become "Kay Hutchison." She campaigned not a bit, received no endorsements, spent not a dime and I was sure to win. And win I did--in early voting--which is generally where more educated voters vote. However, on election day--she beat me and I lost the primary election 51 to 49 or so I think. I was so crushed and could not believe it!
Whats even crazier is that she was kicked off the ballot a few months later due to a judge saying her name was not on the up and up. The party chair then offered me the first choice to be back on the ballot. By then however, I had married the love of my life, Christi, and had taken on new and more important priorities--including two small step-children. But it would not have mattered, it would be another 4 years before the democrats would take back Dallas County. So I got involved in a few other races and helped them and then slowly pulled out of politics. Not because I suddenly disliked it, but that it had been too important to me for too many years. It was time for me to focus on other things.
Since those days, taking care of my family and serving the Lord by taking Jesus to the impoverished and more difficult parts of Mesquite has been my top priorities. But I do love my country very much and believe that until Jesus comes back--we can still make our country and community better. I no longer subscribe to a particular party or have my feet positioned as either a Republican or a Democrat. I find myself fairly conservative on some of the social issues of the day--and fairly progressive when it comes to economic justice and making life a little better for the working poor and the vulnerables of our nation. So really I don't much fit into either party.
So since I am an average citizen and voter, I get to now express how I feel about the issues of the day without having to worry about whether or not it will cost me votes or get me elected. So as I write on this blog what I hope will be regular, I will side with whichever party or elected officials who I happen to think is right on each individual issue. What you can expect from this blog--is NO PARTISAN POLITICS! You can expect to always read about the fact that I believe in our system of government and I am an American first. Which means I respect those who have been put in authority, even when I don't agree with them. I believe there is no room for hate and ugliness in the political process. I greatly appreciate and value and honor both President Obama as well as the leaders of the Republican Party and other partisan elected officials nationwide of both major political parties.
In my next blog, I will discuss why this blog is titled "In The Arena." So, LETS HAVE A CONVERSATION!
Bruce Archer
Mesquite, Texas
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