Daniel Aronstein sends the following John Kerry misquote from today.
Remarks of Senator John Kerry on Security and Strength for a New WorldMore than a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt defined American leadership in foreign policy. He said America should walk softly and carry a big stick.
From the Biography of Theodore Roosevelt:
Roosevelt steered the United States more actively into world politics. He liked to quote a favorite proverb, "Speak softly and carry a big stick. . . . "And just in case you really need proof, this exhibit from the Library of Congress on the phrase.
Make of that what you will...
Perhaps Senator Kerry will reinterpret the Monroe Doctrine for an encore...
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Comments (5)
Walk softly upon the earth,... (Below threshold)1. Posted by SarahW | May 28, 2004 10:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Walk softly upon the earth, but carry a big puppet.
1. Posted by SarahW | May 28, 2004 10:55 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 28, 2004 10:55
2. Posted by eman | May 28, 2004 1:59 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is a very petty criticism of Kerry, who in this case is technically correct. T.R. did say those words, and this phrase is by now completely associated with the man. T.R. himself didn't acknowledge the original source either ("as the proverb says...").
2. Posted by eman | May 28, 2004 1:59 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 28, 2004 13:59
3. Posted by SarahW | May 28, 2004 2:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Exsqueeze me? Kerry garbled it. Not so much in attributing a like phrase to TR instead of sone West African proverb, but TR said "speak softly".
"Walk softly" is an eco-meme ostensibly derived from Native American wisdom.
Kerry deliberately or inadvertantly mixed up the quote.
Which is funny for a guy who lambastes his chief opponent as someone who gets history wrong.
The library document is interesting if you consider TR's words and apply them to a certain amusing speaker lately in the public eye.
3. Posted by SarahW | May 28, 2004 2:24 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 28, 2004 14:24
4. Posted by Bob | May 30, 2004 9:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How is giving the CIA more power and making it bigger somehow going to magically give us a increased intelligence ability ? Not to mention, "redesigning Special Forces" ? If I read my military history correct, and I'm sure I do, Special Forces have traditionally had the mission of counter-insurgency, as well as basically operating behind enemy lines during war to win hearts and minds, this would fit neatly into the war on terrorism. So why do the Special Forces need "redesigning" if they've always been traditionally intended for this sort of mission anyways ?
4. Posted by Bob | May 30, 2004 9:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 30, 2004 09:58
5. Posted by Bob | May 30, 2004 9:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How is giving the CIA more power and making it bigger somehow going to magically give us a increased intelligence ability ? Not to mention, "redesigning Special Forces" ? If I read my military history correct, and I'm sure I do, Special Forces have traditionally had the mission of counter-insurgency, as well as basically operating behind enemy lines during war to win hearts and minds, this would fit neatly into the war on terrorism. So why do the Special Forces need "redesigning" if they've always been traditionally intended for this sort of mission anyways ?
5. Posted by Bob | May 30, 2004 9:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 30, 2004 09:58