Positivity Bonus: “I Am”
Reporter: “General, everybody wants to know, are you a Democrat or Republican?”
Answer: “I am an American.”
– Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, on his return from WWII *
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“Another voter was asked, ‘Are you Sunni or Shia?’
He responded, ‘I am Iraqi.’”
– President Bush, in his December 18 address to the nation **
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* – This quote comes from the “Ike” TV miniseries in the late 1970s. When I saw the scene, I asked my late father if Eisenhower really said that. He said “yes.” That’s good enough for me, but if anyone has a link or a quote from a book, e-mail me.
** – These sentiments were expressed as early as the January election in Iraq, as shown here (about 75% through article).
Tom,
I remember a quote like that but am unable to find an attribution in any book I have. Ambrose wrote a bio of Ike and there is a quote from him the goes something like “I’m just a Kansas farm boy who did his duty.” I know he avoided declaring allegiance to either party for years. I believe he felt so strongly about military independence from politics that he never even voted prior to 1948.
Comment by LargeBill — December 20, 2005 @ 5:17 pm
LB, thanks for the info, esp on not even voting to avoid perceived allegiance.
Comment by TBlumer — December 20, 2005 @ 6:12 pm