I just returned from a luncheon address given by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the City Club of Cleveland. She is both brilliant and funny, and it was an honor to be in the same room with her. She spoke on the main issues that will affect our president-elect - fighting terrorism without creating more terrorists, the economy, the environment, globalization, non-proliferation of nuclear arms and the promotion of democracy.
Three points that she made really hit home with me:
1) The Iraq war has been going on longer than World War II lasted.
2) She stated that the upcoming election is the most important of her lifetime. That is no small statement for someone who is 71 years old.
3) You have to talk to people you don't like. This doesn't always mean exchanging pleasantries, but refusing to talk to someone because you don't like them isn't going to solve any problems.
Despite her thoughtful and intelligent comments, the point that hit home with me the most was delivered by the City Club's Director of Operations, Gary Musselman. He asked us to consider three candidates:
A) A chain-smoker who has two mistresses
B) Does not wake before noon, had an addiction to opium and drinks a quart of whiskey every night
C) Is a vegetarian, non-smoker and has never cheated on his wife
Which candidate would you pick?
A) Franklin Delano Roosevelt
B) Winston Churchill
C) Adolph Hitler
This example made me feel a bit better about the devastating news of John Edwards' affair. I still wish, however, that it would someday be possible for there to be a good politician who is a good man. (Maybe the problem is that it would take a woman to simultaneously fill both of those roles!)
Dr. Albright's speech will be posted on both the City Club website and YouTube next week if you are interested. You can also check out her books: Madam Secretary and Memo to the President Elect.
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