Political Courage?

My son received an assignment the other day from his high school social studies teacher to write an essay about an American politician between JFK and the present which displayed political courage.

Here’s an excerpt of his essay.

“In trying to find examples of modern political courage I think it’s important to use, as a baseline, historical figures who have displayed courage in the political sense. This should help us understand what the true definition of political courage is and how it manifests itself in the society and political landscape of the time.

Examples include:

Jean Jacques Rousseau – French Revolution: Philosopher, Authored the “Social Contract”, heavily influenced the French Revolution and could be called the father of democracy. He most likely inspired the US Constitution and our current form of government. Also said we were destined to destroy ourselves but that democracies could last for centuries if properly maintained.

Mohatma Ghandi – 1910-1940s: affected political and human rights change in South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Great Britain and the World. Affected the map and borders of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Muslim World. Affected the outcomes of WWI, WWII and various regional skirmishes / Jailed many years / Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize several times and Assasinated in Jan 1948

Martin Luther King, Jr – 1950s & 60s: affected African American rights, fought to end segregation and discrimination against blacks / Won Nobel Peace Prize / jailed several times / Assassinated April 1968

Rosa Parks: - 1950s: US Civil Rights movement. Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person which eventually sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Eventually she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Nelson Mandela – 1960s – 2000: Fought poverty, inequality and apartheid in South Africa / jailed for 27 years / elected President of South Africa / Won Nobel Peace Prize

Lech Walesa – 1980s & 90s: responsible for transitioning Poland from communism to democracy / Jailed several times / Elected President of Poland / Won Nobel Peace Prize

When he got to this point my son is sort of stuck. He’s understandably having trouble finding a politician in our modern era that measure up to these people in terms of political courage. They were all willing to risk ridicule, loss of all property, jail and even death to stand by their convictions. I suspect if we knew the truth JFK would be on this list as well but he was killed before he could act.

You can learn a lot from the French Revolution. In American we are in precisely the same spot now as they were then.

Between JFK and Obama do we have ANY political leaders who have displayed the kind of courage mentioned above? Who?

If not – how long are YOU prepared to tolerate the bozo’s (Democrats and Republicans) in Washington?

The Use Of All Caps In Thread Titles--All Members Please Read.

Political courage is rare these days look at obama and the Palestinian backface

reply to post by beanandginger


Maybe Joe McCarthy and his stance on communism? While I do not at all agree with his tenants while in office, he did have the backbone to pursue them.

Even though it was political suicide.

Remember, one person's courage, may well be another’s stupidity.

As for past President's, simply working with the other party is a form of courage these days.

Here's an article I found googling an American politician which displayed political courage.

Source

Illinois senior Senator Richard Durbin’s decision to hold congressional hearings on "Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims," appears to be motivated by his stated desire to uphold the age old American value of religious tolerance. It is also an act that required political courage. Unlike Peter King’s hearings on "Radicalization in the American Muslim Community", Durbin’s has gone largely unrecognized.

I'm still trying to get over Education Day.

Education and Sharing Day is a day made by the United States Congress in honor of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson the Lubavitcher Rebbe's (1902-1994) efforts for education and sharing for Jews and non-Jews alike. During his lifetime the Rabbi opened scores of centers of education called "Chabad Houses". The day was inaugurated April 18, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter and has since been proclaimed, by the presiding President, annually on the Jewish birthday of Menachem Mendel Schneerson (11 Nissan). In 2009 it was marked on April 5.[1]

Source
Which is also being discussed here: Source under the title the official religion of the United States....I wish it was a joke.

Jesse Ventura comes to mind.

He really rattled some cages in Minnesota and took the whole establishment by surprise.

Political courage is sticking to your guns despite the backlash they may create, check Ron Pauls comments on Alwaki for evidence. Could have blown any chance he had, but stuck to his position because it was the right one, not swayed by emotional public opinion.