Bill Moyers: Don't Let The Flame of Democracy Die!
I came across the following quote from Bill Moyers today as I was reading the reactions of other web sites to the prospect that Bill Moyers could run as a Democrat for President of the United States in 2008. It's an idealistic vision for someone who has worked in the White House, at the center of power, to hold. That tells us a lot about the moral strength of Bill Moyers.
I think Moyers is onto something here. Mind you, don't accept this idea just because Bill Moyers says it. Think about its implications critically, as we ought to with all claims that appeal to the conceit, as Moyers puts it.
Hm. Stirring words, but is it a democracy, when only one person wants it any more? I'm sad to say that few in America seem truly dedicated to the ideals of democracy any more.
I think Moyers is onto something here. Mind you, don't accept this idea just because Bill Moyers says it. Think about its implications critically, as we ought to with all claims that appeal to the conceit, as Moyers puts it.
"What’s right and good doesn’t come naturally. You have to stand up and fight for it - as if the cause depends on you, because it does. Allow yourself that conceit - to believe that the flame of democracy will never go out as long as there’s one candle in your hand."
Hm. Stirring words, but is it a democracy, when only one person wants it any more? I'm sad to say that few in America seem truly dedicated to the ideals of democracy any more.
posted by 24thIndependent at
6:59 AM
3 Comments:
Looks like Moyers should stop and ask himself....Does the cause depend on me? It well might.
By
darkly, at 5:51 PM
Sorry for the parenthetical comment, but please change your blog style ASAP. That dark background is not only incredibly depressing and inappropriate for the subject matter, it is nearly illegible--very difficult to find anything on the page, and not a very pleasant experience.
For two years I have been placing Bill Moyers on my top 5 List as a leader to help us out of this mess, so I can only encourage sites like this one to flourish--and be inspiring in tone as well as visibility!
By
inspired 1, at 9:30 PM
"...but is it a democracy, when only one person wants it any more?"
Of course! It absolutely can be!
Ghandi was only one man who decided to walk to the sea for salt rather than pay the tax levied by Brittish occupation. He collected people as he went along. He didn't try to convince anyone that he was wrong or that he was right. He just shared his message and his passion and people could see the truth.
Heck! The good old US of A was begun by a mere handful of upstarts.
The problem, as I see it, is that people are generally unwilling to do the work. They want someone to inspire them - to give them hope.
The one who is able to hold the candle alone in the dark and not bemoan his circumstance or begrudge others for not "being there," but to continue resolutely on the path he believes to be right and good is the true hero.
So many of us are willing to cast stones at those who won't stand in the dark, rather than fire up a candle ourselves.
By
Anonymous, at 5:41 AM
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