Posted on 03/04/2011 4:42:54 PM PST by kristinn
SNIP
I visited the 82-year-old Mr. Johnson in his West London home this week to ask him whether America has once again set off down the path to self-destruction. Is he worried about America's future?
"Of course I worry about America," he says. "The whole world depends on America ultimately, particularly Britain. And also, I love America—a marvelous country. But in a sense I don't worry about America because I think America has such huge strengths—particularly its freedom of thought and expression—that it's going to survive as a top nation for the foreseeable future. And therefore take care of the world."
Pessimists, he points out, have been predicting America's decline "since the 18th century." But whenever things are looking bad, America "suddenly produces these wonderful things—like the tea party movement. That's cheered me up no end. Because it's done more for women in politics than anything else—all the feminists? Nuts! It's brought a lot of very clever and quite young women into mainstream politics and got them elected. A very good little movement, that. I like it." Then he deepens his voice for effect and adds: "And I like that lady—Sarah Palin. She's great. I like the cut of her jib."
The former governor of Alaska, he says, "is in the good tradition of America, which this awful political correctness business goes against." Plus: "She's got courage. That's very important in politics. You can have all the right ideas and the ability to express them. But if you haven't got guts, if you haven't got courage the way Margaret Thatcher had courage—and [Ronald] Reagan, come to think of it. Your last president had courage too—if you haven't got courage, all the other virtues are no good at all. It's the central virtue."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Palin 2012 !!!
ping!
I have enjoyed many of Paul Johnson’s works. I esp like “A History of Christianity.” His pro-America attitude once in a while creeps through his professional work.
His opinion counts for something.
Paul Johnson’s prognosis is hopeful. Groups like the TEA Party and the homeschooling movement are also hopeful signs.
ping
Thanks for the ping to an great article
I just finished ‘CREATORS’, and am re-reading ‘BIRTH OF THE MODERN’ for the third time. I suggest all Freepers read ‘INTELLECTUALS’.
And my vote, if she wants it. She really doesn't have any viable competition if she gets into the primary.
And I think Hillary would be her toughest opponent if she wins the primary and gets in the show. obama would be much easier for her to beat than Hillary would be.
I’m happy to do it. Of course, I’m concerned for the country’s future, but I haven’t given up hope yet.
Mr. Johnson is a wise, wise man. I completely agree with him!
This is for those who cling to another candidate simply because they are "good conservatives and right on the issues". Being right on the issues is meaningless if the person is incapable of leading a movement.
That picture of a moose with Palin2012 on it, shows a moose with horse hooves not moose hooves which are split hooves like a cow or deer.
“That picture of a moose with Palin2012 on it, shows a moose with horse hooves...”
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Oh, horrors! whatever will we do?
- JP
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