Greats in American History
Bob Bartley, former Editor of the Wall Street Journal passed away recently. He has joined another great mind, Charles M. Shultz, at the big "Common Sense Think Tank" in the sky. These two men were the epitome of what was right and good about America. Both men, shy and effacing, never wanting to hog the glory and preferring to stay in the background, made a lasting impact on countless lives all across this great land - and I dare say, around the world.
Bartley gave us rational explanations on so many topics it's hard to pick a quote that would epitomize his thoughts. He shepherded supply-side economics, a rational for tax cuts that was radical at the time, but proven time and time since to be the right thing for the country. He was relentless in the pursuit of free trade and he felt free people could accomplish anything. He was the consummate optimist, always seeing the upside as opposed to the downside. This of course is speculation but I bet even his bout with cancer, which ultimately took his life, he viewed not as a negative, probably thinking about the millions of dollars his foundation would take in as the result of his untimely death, thereby helping countless others with the horrible disease.
Charles Shultz gave us Charlie Brown, that oh-so-typical kid who could never do anything right, but always had the hope and the optimism of, well, a kid. All or most of my life lessons came at the hands of the Peanuts gang, and more precisely, the way Mr. Shultz lived his life through those comics.
One of the cartoons that epitomizes Charlie Brown is the April 12, 1956 set which has Charlie with his kite stuck in a tree. Of course he's mad, but since there is nothing he can do about it, he decides to spend the rest of his life standing under the tree. Most might see that as a defeated little kid. I see it as someone who says that anything is possible and if he stands there long enough, maybe, just maybe the wind will whip up and dislodge the kite. I'm a maybe person myself.
These two great figures in American history leave a legacy of great ideas, unbridled hope and optimism, and nothing less than the finest writing human kind has ever known. Both of these men have shaped more than one generation of great thinkers. Both of these men are something to aspire to. I hope I can serve them well, and I hope that one day, in the very far future, I too can join them at the Common Sense Think Tank in the sky having completed the mission of making a difference in people's lives.
Bob Bartley, former Editor of the Wall Street Journal passed away recently. He has joined another great mind, Charles M. Shultz, at the big "Common Sense Think Tank" in the sky. These two men were the epitome of what was right and good about America. Both men, shy and effacing, never wanting to hog the glory and preferring to stay in the background, made a lasting impact on countless lives all across this great land - and I dare say, around the world.
Bartley gave us rational explanations on so many topics it's hard to pick a quote that would epitomize his thoughts. He shepherded supply-side economics, a rational for tax cuts that was radical at the time, but proven time and time since to be the right thing for the country. He was relentless in the pursuit of free trade and he felt free people could accomplish anything. He was the consummate optimist, always seeing the upside as opposed to the downside. This of course is speculation but I bet even his bout with cancer, which ultimately took his life, he viewed not as a negative, probably thinking about the millions of dollars his foundation would take in as the result of his untimely death, thereby helping countless others with the horrible disease.
Charles Shultz gave us Charlie Brown, that oh-so-typical kid who could never do anything right, but always had the hope and the optimism of, well, a kid. All or most of my life lessons came at the hands of the Peanuts gang, and more precisely, the way Mr. Shultz lived his life through those comics.
One of the cartoons that epitomizes Charlie Brown is the April 12, 1956 set which has Charlie with his kite stuck in a tree. Of course he's mad, but since there is nothing he can do about it, he decides to spend the rest of his life standing under the tree. Most might see that as a defeated little kid. I see it as someone who says that anything is possible and if he stands there long enough, maybe, just maybe the wind will whip up and dislodge the kite. I'm a maybe person myself.
These two great figures in American history leave a legacy of great ideas, unbridled hope and optimism, and nothing less than the finest writing human kind has ever known. Both of these men have shaped more than one generation of great thinkers. Both of these men are something to aspire to. I hope I can serve them well, and I hope that one day, in the very far future, I too can join them at the Common Sense Think Tank in the sky having completed the mission of making a difference in people's lives.
