"In The Arena"

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.