Kerry and the role of the citizens in America.

[Mass]

While googling earlier, I found this quote of Kerry that I find very enlightening. The source is a little strange (an Iranian-American intern in Coleman's staff). This seems to be in direct relation with a lot of things that he has said in the past about the power of the grassroots.

http://www.niacouncil.org/pressreleases/press286.asp

While the function of government remains to keep the citizen from falling into error, more importantly, it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. The words of John Kerry, delivered to an audience that consisted of over 300 interns including myself, resonates throughout my fellowship at the United States Senate. Kerry's words illustrates the fundamental relationship between the United States Government and the public, and highlights the necessity of political activism among constituents, including members of the Iranian- American community.

[TayTay]

1. Ah, Chiasmus, one of my favs

Nice quote. And it's very true! It is the job of government to be there for it's citizens when all else fails. And it is the job of citizens to make sure there is a competent government to be there for them when all else fails.

Geeky TayTay: I love rhetoric and speeches. I always have. (Yes, I was a hopelessly geeky kid and studied speech-making.) Not that you need to know this, but, that type of phrase is called Chiasmus. I love that one, as long as it is used sparingly. I often hang around web sites that talk about the greek and latin origins of rhetorical terms and their uses in every day life. (See, geek!) Anyone, here is a page that talks about logic and rhetoric: Chiasmus

(Hey, politics is about action but it is also about words and the power of language to move people to action. A good speech is a thing of beauty and I appreciate a good speech.)

[Island Blue]

2. What would you call one of Shrub's favorite ways to mangle the language

"We're gonna solve problems because we're problem solvers." I saw Shrub say that one on The Daily Show shortly after Hurricane Katrina (well shortly meaning a week or so afterward) and I've heard him use that type of phrase many times before.

I'd call it Moranic, but maybe there's an actual name for that type of phrase. Just thought I'd test your geekly knowledge, Tay Tay. ;-)

[TayTay]

3. Hmmmm, just brain-dead

He tries to make complete sentences and comes out with gibberish:

Putting food on your family.
Human being and the fish can co-exist.
Is our children learning?

* is just a friggin idiot. As we saw when * played guitar and ate birthday cake while New Orleans drowned, he is incapable of doing anything without advisors whispering in his ear.

Just a friggin idiot. A barely evolved chimp.

[karynnj]

4. Could he be proof that devolution can occur

as well as evolution?

[Island Blue]

5. Sure - he's definitely proof of devolution

Just think about it. There his family tree (or shrub as the case might be) was for millions of years growing stronger and smarter. They began to walk upright, speak in complete, coherent sentences, graduate from Ivy League schools. Then all of the sudden because of a few too many dips taken into the shallow end of the gene pool, a new generation emerges - that of Poppy and Babs. Slowly the march backward begins. Then Dubya is sprung forth into the world and all of the sudden the once proud family shrub has been reduced to a family twig. And behold, we now have an offspring who can barely hold his head upright and has to be reminded through an ear piece not to drool on himself in public. Thus, your devolution theory has been proven correct.

[karynnj]

6. Thank you for posting this, the article itself was really interesting

I wonder if Coleman wonders why HIS intern took for his theme the wise words of Kerry. It is and interesting thought and it's cool that he spoke to the interns.