Remembering Howard Zinn..one for ErnestM & Jimbo..
Discussion
I was saddened to hear tonight of Zinn's passing.
A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 29th January 00:22
Mojocvh said:
I was saddened to hear tonight of Zinn's passing.
A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
I would disagree with much of this fellow's views, however, he is to be respected for being sincere and genuinely wanting what is good. He sounded dissatisfied with the modern version of his party and political parties as a whole. I remember when Dems and Republicans could put aside differences when something was really important and make progress. The last time I recall this happening was when Tip O'Neil and Ronald Reagan would compromise. Today, a party will sacrafice the nation's well being if it puts them ahead. A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 29th January 00:22
Jimbeaux said:
Mojocvh said:
I was saddened to hear tonight of Zinn's passing.
A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
I would disagree with much of this fellow's views, however, he is to be respected for being sincere and genuinely wanting what is good. He sounded dissatisfied with the modern version of his party and political parties as a whole. I remember when Dems and Republicans could put aside differences when something was really important and make progress. The last time I recall this happening was when Tip O'Neil and Ronald Reagan would compromise. Today, a party will sacrafice the nation's well being if it puts them ahead. A staunch "old school" Democrat, a man who, having bombed Hitlers Reich into submission, knew exactly what war meant and it's cost to humanity.
“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
http://progressive.org/ld012710.html
RIP H.
Mo.
Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 29th January 00:22
Mo.
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