” The Democrats definitely want civil strife but the GOP wants to bury its head in the sand and make it go away … “
I recently got immersed in a conversation over at R about Democrats and Republicans and I made the comment published above.
One of the members responded ” that’s a distinction without a difference” and I remarked:
“Actually, I’m personally more offended by cowards than fools.”
I thought this was a perfect conversation to bring over here because I figured our ST would answer that both character flaws cause men to die.
If you would, ST and the Simonettes, I’d love to get your feedback.
ST UnWoked & UnVaxxed! 
Liz, I repeatedly referred to “Demoncrats” and “Repulsivecants” over there, during the 2016 contest. Nothing since then has altered my characterization: Throw the bums out; you can’t fund your own campaign; mandatory retirement age for Congresscritters; and – You have to have served honorably in our armed forces to be a candidate.
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“You have to have served honorably in our armed forces to be a candidate.”
I have to vote for private sector experience because the business of America is business. (Pardon the cliche, but it’s real in my mind.)
I voted for Perot in 1992 and I think he could have done a good job if he’d taken the campaign seriously. Unfortunately, he is a vengeful man and was simply going after Herbert Walker instead. He succeeded in giving the election to Clinton and I admit to indirectly participating in this as did 10% of registered Republicans.
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Private sector experience could be construed as running errands/brewing coffee at a local chain, no? Apparently, too, Romney’s experience as a turnaround specialist didn’t stand him in very good stead. The times, they’ve been a’changin’….
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Nanda:
Your comment re: Romney was spot-on and I was seriously shocked by his behavior. One cannot deny his fiscal acumen but what truly surprised me was the lack of knowledge re: international politics and his blatant disregard for Trump’s pragmatic solutions to the problems we face in this country.
I sense there was a craftily disguised ego that overcame his love for country and this is unforgivable in my book.
Honestly, this remains one of the greatest mysteries of my political life!
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Liz, I was referring to Romney’s prior outing against BHO, not his senatorial run, just to clarify.
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One of the Catholic saints, I can’t remember which one, said that bravery is the first and most important of all the virtues; seems to me that without bravery, none of the other virtues are possible.
There is such a thing as a brave fool: there is no such thing as a smart coward
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True that! Thanks for clarifying, JC.
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“One of the Catholic saints, I can’t remember which one…”
JaC, the interwebs seem to attribute this quote to Maya Angelou: (lol)
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”
The gift of the Holy Spirit labeled “fortitude” is described by Aquinas as courage, supported by endurance.
Both qualities seem sorely lacking today, no matter who talked about them….
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“Liz, I was referring to Romney’s prior outing against BHO, not his senatorial run, just to clarify.”
I know you were but I just had to move on after the Trump candidacy. The Don’s bold, brash, ornery, aggressive and no-nonsense approach attracted me instantly.
I love the fearlessly inappropriate tweets and behavior because I’m sick to DEATH of bulls**t.
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It is an unusual comment to say the least, and it is no wonder that you turned here for guidance. (Joking on that last bit after the word and)
Some of these require a higher intellect than what I possess so I turn to my Bible. Shall we take a look?
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Uh… okay, but that ball is in your court.
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Yes ma’am. I should have written that I am going to poach some Bible verses to see what those old, dead, and nominally white men had to say. (joking again – but just a wee bit)
Sorry, if it read as if I wanted to do a group on-line Bible study here and now. As a matter of fact, I try not to jam my Bible down anyone’s throat. How copy – over?
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Of course, LIz, both fools and cowards cause good men to die. Of the two, cowards are more dangerous, generally speaking, because they are often extremely duplicitous. How many good men do you think died or were severely maimed due to one coward, SGT Bergdahl?
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Plus cowards are not always fools so have no legitimate excuse for their actions (or should I say lack thereof.)
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It is okay not to be brave, but the cowards are the ones who could lend a hand but won’t because they love ‘self’ above all else.
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A fool, if properly led, may become useful in extremis. A coward is worse than useless in any and all situations in which they sense danger or lacking danger become afraid of their own shadows.
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I am not even warmed up yet and we can already see there is a distinction and a difference. I am beginning to wonder why anyone would even say such a silly thing in that context unless perhaps he had recently read it somewhere and decided to use it himself believing that it would make him look intelligent too.
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Agree; thus my response to him. I’ll also add that there will always be the wicked and the Machiavellian, but they can be hindered by the bold and the brave.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ― Edmund Burke
(Edited to give credit to the original author.)
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You, Grasshopper, are now ready to leave the sanctuary of the Forbidden City.
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The Bible is rich in its condemnation of both fools & cowards, but I think this one verse from Proverbs sums up nicely how we are to deal with fools.
Proverbs 26:4
King James Bible
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
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It is a distinction without a difference from the point of view of the outcome—that is, the end of America as we know it. At this point in the decline of America I don’t care about excuses or how many angles can dance on the head of a pin—I only care about real-world results.
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Welcome aboard!
I suppose that we will continue to agree to disagree.
Are you shaping real-world results?
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And for the record, I don’t think that Republicans are fools or cowards—they’re in on the scam just like the Democrats.
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Context is everything.
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Thank you for joining us!
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Yes, welcome Black Prince 🙂
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I hear you, Black Prince, but if we want good real world results, considering the difference between foolishness and cowardice is important. I dont think this is a conversation about how many Angels can dance on the head of a pin 🙂 Rather, it’s just taking a few steps back to consider our own motivations and possibly the motivations of others, in the hope that better real world results will result 🙂
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Would add that there will always be foolishness but the only antidote is courage.
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Hey! I just noticed the avatar of one of our lurkers by the name of Sandomina. Your background sounds quite interesting so we would all enjoy reading a post from you.
Promise we don’t bite. 🙂
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