Speaking freely

Peggy Noonan had an interesting piece in The Wall Street Journal over the weekend entitled "Hear, Hear" - - talking about how we are limiting ourselves by controlling whom we do and do not talk to. Near the end, she urges both Republicans and Democrats to stop avoiding possible negative interactions while campaigning. She argues, I believe correctly, that if a candidate is serious about a certain policy issue it is necessary for him or her to talk to the dissenters. Politicians cannot afford to be scared of a few boos.

Check it out. The link above should work, but searching for it in the WSJ database pulls it up as well.

Ike Through Nixon

In early 1961, Ike gave his Farewell Address, famously warning of the military-industrial complex. Days later, the torch passed to JFK, who took a distinctly militant tone in the Cold War. Kennedy took full advantage of new technology, starting the practice of holding press conferences on live TV. His successor, Lyndon Johnson, had an earthy way of expressing himself.

In future weeks, we shall discuss Nixon in greater detail. But this brief clip gives a sense of his hard-edged view of international politics.