In every culture there are heroes. In almost every instance the purpose of a “god” or a “Saint”, a great warrior or a devil is to set some sort of a standard—good or bad. At a very young age we learn about the virtues, the evils, the accomplishments and shortcomings of heroes. At a later age and to a varying degree we learn that we share the good and bad aspects of our heroes’ lives—with ourselves. Little Greco-Roman boys and girls learned about their heroes from birth:
In describing the lectisternium of the Twelve Great gods in 217 BC, the Augustan historian Livy places the deities in gender-balanced pairs:[5]
Gender equity apparently an issue even in ancient times(?)
My first hero that I can remember was Mickey Mantle the Great New York Yankee number 7. In junior high school I wrote a paper giving his number 7 magical and religious powers which is why he hit so many home runs. I wanted to wear number 7 in little league. Then it was Howard “Hop-Along” Cassidy, the Heisman Trophy winner from The Ohio State. I had a red football jersey number 40—Howard’s number, that I must have worn to school many months in a row.
Somewhere toward the end of college I adopted King David as my hero. Maybe it was because his life gave me hope at a time when I was doing some pretty naughty things—at least according to my mother. The bottom line was that no matter how bad King David was, he always repented, always was willing to be accountable to God, and most always prayed and loved God. The Great St. Augustine served as a model for my life as a young adult. “Please God save me, but not today”. Tomorrow comes quickly for all of us.
In our modern world with social media and “fake news” heroes appear to us out of thin air. Mostly their life stories are autobiographical fiction. It is typical for a young gal or lad to join the military via ROTC, go into the public information or operational fields, claim some sort of valor, and then use that mostly false narrative to climb the political ladder. Think John Kerry or Pete Buttigieg. The military was a box to fill on a premade resume to help climb the political ladder.
J. D. Vance is different. He joined the Marines after flunking out of college. He used the Marine Corps as a way develop discipline that would help him academically the second time around when he reentered college five years later. He never claimed to be on the tip of the spear, nor did he make any claim of unusual valor. I found out in my own military career, and I most certainly have no claim on valor, that the most virtuous heroes in our military never call attention to their service or their own individual acts of valor, but always defer to the heroism of their comrades in arms. Their virtue is almost universally hidden beneath a veil of humility—unless they go into politics.
Neither DJT nor Kamala have served in the military. Senator Kelly had a heroic career as a fighter pilot and astronaut and may be the dems VP candidate. I respect the story of his heroic military career. His politics are consistent with a person that has always received a government paycheck and never run a business or a farm. I believe running successful businesses is a difficult challenge and may give one an opportunity to learn leadership skills. Living a life and being respected by one’s children is important—like our Governor whose politics I don’t always understand.
In ancient Rome one could not be a member of the Senate or be a Council unless they had first served in the military. They had to leave all their military trappings—rank and the power that came with it, behind before they became a “political servant”. The traditional Roman Citizen was first a farmer, then a soldier, and if he made those marks, he became a politician. Unfortunately, in many instances in our country politicians jump almost immediately into the political arena and have little opportunity for real world seasoning.
Just as important as real-world success is how one deals with “real world” failure and adversity. I have recently read several books on U. S. Grant our 18th President. After graduating from West Point and serving bravely in the Mexican War he failed in banking, as a merchant and then as a farmer. Certainly, no stranger to adversity he. After the first day of the Battle at “Bloody Shilo” where the day was lost several times over by the union forces, he was asked if he would surrender. His response was “we’ll lick’em tomorrow”.
I have often times wondered if his tenacity was forged by his earlier failures. His tenacity against Robert E. Lee in the Wilderness campaign is reminiscent of Hannibal or Alexander The Great. Then as President he met many challenges as Democrats and “wiffy Republicans” backed off his policies and President Lincoln’s, on reconstruction. Many scandals enveloped his Presidency including the Union Pacific Credit Moblier “play to pay” program that benefited many politicians. He emerged from each stronger than before.
Donald Trump has faced many personal and professional challenges in his adult life. So did Alexander Hamiliton, Abe Lincoln, U. S. Grant, and John Kennedy. So did King David and Mickey Mantle. All those great men rose from the ashes of personal embarrassment and financial ruin to live great lives. They subsequently made great leaders.
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it at one turn of pitch and toss
And lose and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss.” R. K.
I want a leader who will fight even when defeat seems inevitable.
Russia gate, peepee tape, spy gate, impeachment 1 &2, indictments 1-4, and convictions (false convictions) 1-32 have been big hurdles to overcome. Mr. Trump has proven that he is at his best when his back is up against the wall. Very few Americans have lived an “undefeated life”. We have all had to overcome challenges. We want our leaders to be like King David. Not perfect because we aren’t perfect. But willing to stand up and always fight.
In the stage play 1776 during the Second Continental Congress Benjman Franklin points out to John Adams who is frustrated with his fellow delegates in the slowness of their adopting independence—I paraphrase:
These are just men. Fathers, sons, husbands, farmers, merchants, lawyers, and clergymen. There are “no Saints amongst us”. Everyday people. No better or worse than you or I. No more or less virtuous than you and I. None are perfect but all are brave.
Within weeks each one of those delegates became convicted felons for the crime of treason. There valor and their virtue were not lessened by that conviction, but only made greater by their courage to face and forge a new future for themselves and their countrymen.
There are no Saints to choose from.
Courage is the great virtue that is the pillar for all others including justice.
Mr. Trump has shown us his courage.
