Sometimes when the country is in an ugly mood, as it is now, it is hard to find words that can urge reason. Elected officials and sensible voters lend their patronage to organizations that espouse fanaticism, misinformation and calls for violence. What to do? I went to the Internet to find what three of my favorite American Philosophers had to say about all this to their fellow citizens.
From Will Rogers, born on a large ranch in the Cherokee Nation, now known as Oologah, Oklahoma: "We elect our Presidents, be they Republican or Democrat, then start daring 'em to make good."
From Mark Twain, son of Missouri: "Where prejudice exists, it always discolors our thoughts."
From Yogi Barri, born here in St.Louis, dealing with the jealousy that losing sometimes produces: " You wouldn't have won if we had beaten you."
Maybe a rereading of Roger, Twain and Barri, could help us understand what we are doing to ourselves as a nation when we resort to threats and violence.
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