On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:37:29 GMT, "Clams Canino"
wrote:


"Henry Blackmoore" wrote in message news:Ucp1c.19769

So totally dishonorable men who lie and cheat their way through life make
great leaders in your humble opinion?

Hmmm interesting...

Well, JFK was a real WW2 hero, and then a great leader, yet as a "man" he
had considerable shortcomings. And in the end he gave his life in service of
this country, who am I to trash him?

I judge a leader by how well he executes his job as shepard of the people he
is supposed to be leading. In that regard, MLK did an outstanding job for
his constituancy, and as a result our entire country. He can sort out any
moral issues he had with God. I'd hire him again in a minute to lead, I
wouldn't hire him to ghost write for me, and I wouldn't marry him. See the
difference??

Both of these leaders practiced thier religion and well knew "the rules" of
life. If God has issues with them regarding honesty and promiscuity, so be
it. It's not for me to judge how they delt with the temptations that go with
"life at the top".

(Let me use another good and personal example. As a New Englander when I
was young, I got to see and meet a young musician named Steven Tyler. I
immediatly saw in him that "something", that "spark" that makes the
difference between "good" and "legend". One of those very rare people that
just personifies the "muse" in music. When he got to "the top", the
temptations of life at the top almost killed him. In 1982 I got to thinking
how the world really couldn't afford to lose another musical genius so soon
after Lennon, but ol' Steven was damn_near_dead, I saw it close up and
personal. Well, we all know that he rediscovered his spirituality, saved
himself, gave up all the drugs and alcohol that were killing him and muting
the muse, and as a net result he and his little band will go down as the
most successfull American band in history. And the good he has done in
getting "the message" out to young people about substance abuse is
immeasurable. Not to mention all the good work generating food for the
homeless that they have done. (If you donate 100 cans to a homeless
shelter - they *make* time to meet you, shake your hand, and thank you
personally.)

Are any of these "great *men*" I don't judge men. But I do know that they
are all national treasures in thier own fields. They added something to the
American tapestry than no_one_else could have added. Despite faults and
temptations, people like this become giants in thier chosen fields, be it
politics, civil rights, or the joy of music. It's not for me to judge them,
it's only for me to pray for these people and thank God for the gifts they
bring to others in the short time they are here.

Don't tell me about these peoples faults and weaknesses, we all have faults.
I'm very thankfull for what legacy they leave behind.


-W


Wow, Clams! That was very nicely written.

Thank you.


John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!