May 26, 2005
GOD MUST LOVE HISTORIANS
Mr. Narcissus Goes to Washington: It's springtime, love is in the air, and 14 senators are gazing at the mirror. (Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal, 5/26/05)
You've heard the mindless braying and fruitless arguments, but I'm here to tell you the facts, no matter what brickbats and catcalls may come my way. Lindsey Graham defied the biases of his constituency to do what was right, not what was easy. Robert Byrd put aside personal gain to save our Republic. David Pryor ignored the counsels of hate to stand firm for our hopes and dreams. Mike DeWine protected our way of life. These men are uniters, not dividers.Unable to fit every detail of a life, or even a moderately complex event, into an article or book, historians look for the telling fact that exemplifies the lesson they wish to teach. Much of the historian's skill goes into choosing just the right examplar, and a slyly chosen examplar can do more than all the misstated facts in Bellesiles Arming America to skew the reader's perception. Fortunately for (honest) historians, it is amazing how readily the right examplar comes to hand, too perfect to be ignored and too true to be skewed. For example, when the history of the filibuster compromise is written, what historian will be able to ignore the telling detail that explains it all: John McCain left the press conference early to go see a movie about his life. Posted by David Cohen at May 26, 2005 10:36 AMHow do I know?
Because they told me. Again and again, and at great length, as they announced The Deal. And I believed them, because I am an idiot. Or as they might put it, your basic "folk" from "back home."
Of course that's what Democrats say of W reading a children's book on 9-11.
Posted by: oj at May 26, 2005 10:52 AMTo know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail our pride supports us; when we succeed, it betrays us.
Posted by: Shelton at May 26, 2005 12:58 PMYes, My Pet Goat is another good examplar. As a fact it is almost meaningless, as is the fact that Senator McCain had another engagement that evening that he chose to honor. And yet, My Pet Goat is evocative of any number of theses: multiculturalism as a distraction from defense; the peaceloving president hoping to focus on education, not war; the giant slept while its enemies gathered; and, of course, the president blind to the threats around us.
Posted by: David Cohen at May 26, 2005 2:46 PMDavid:
Kind of like the Magic Hat, eh? Although after Bush finished reading his book, he went to war.
Posted by: jim hamlen at May 26, 2005 3:20 PM