Why we liked Ike

Steve Clemons at The Washington Note has published a collection of Eisenhower quotes so thoughtful it makes you almost long for the 50s... Very worthwhile reading. Go here for the full set. Here's a sample:

If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking. . . is freedom.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

In most communities it is illegal to cry "fire" in a crowded assembly. Should it not be considered serious international misconduct to manufacture a general war scare in an effort to achieve local political aims?

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Only Americans can hurt America.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Suggestion

UPDATE:
Senator Clinton writes to say, "Thank you for your message. I have received thousands of emails from people all over the country. Your comments are very important to me and I am excited that so many people are joining our conversation about how to change the direction of the country." She suggests that I volunteer, donate, become a Hillraiser, or otherwise get involved in the campaign. She thanks me again for my interest.

To which I answer:

I'm not interested in joining Team Hillary. You obviously didn't read my comments. I want Senator Clinton to drop out of the race - gracefully and now, please - before she does any more harm to the Democratic Party. Don't send me chirpy emails. Just do what's right and fold up this campaign immediately.

Signed,
A Disgusted Former Hillary Apologist

Senator Clinton, I am a white woman over 50, a loyal Democrat, who has defended and admired you for years. But because of the campaign you have run, I now despise you. This latest musing about RFK's assassination is merely the latest outrage in a long line of slurs, innuendo, personal attacks, vote suppression tactics, and whining. So here's my suggestion:

WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE. GRACEFULLY.

You will not be the nominee. You will not be selected as VP. 2012 is now out of reach for you. Stop tearing down Senator Obama to no purpose and hardening your supporters' opposition to him. We can all see through your desperation. The country is ashamed for you. Salvage what little reputation you have left.

WITHDRAW FROM THE RACE. GRACEFULLY, AND NOW.

Thank you.

"The future does not belong to those who are content with today"

Ted Kennedy, on the death of his brother, Robert:

The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather it will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American Society.

I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling sad today.

Dear Maine superdelegates

Your indecision has a cost.

• You are permitting a candidate who cannot possibly win to tear down our presumptive nominee for no purpose.
• As you sit idle, Clinton supporters are hardening their opposition to Obama, and weakening him in the eyes of the general electorate.
• You are giving John McCain a clear field to consolidate his support among disparate groups, make conflicting promises, and issue misstatements of fact – all with zero press attention.
• You are denying Obama a chance to rest and regroup before the general election.
• You are starving Congressional races of money and attention and alienating potential donors. This is particularly true of lower tier races and long shot challengers.

The time and goodwill you waste cannot be recovered. In the words of opinion writer David Broder, “history shows that the earlier a candidate nails down his nomination, the better his chances of winning.” Broder cogently spells out the political costs of delay in decision making by those of you who remain uncommitted. Please read this column carefully.

Moreover, your fellow citizens are losing respect for you. Here’s Broder quoting Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin on the topic of uncommitted superdelegates:

"They want to avoid hard votes," Durbin told me at midweek, referring to his colleagues. "They want to be spared controversy. Most of them are looking for certainty, for inevitability, before they commit."

It is past time for you to act. Your decision could determine whether or not John McCain becomes our next president and keeps us in Iraq for the next half-century!

Sincerely,
Mr. & Mrs. Alna Dem