"No, I have to do this my way. You tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all. Just... follow the money."
Deep Throat
- All the President's Men 1976
How can something so pertinent to your life; be so instrumental to another? In a world with scandal, deception, manipulation and even secrets; we as a group of people cross our T's and dot our I's, in the event of checking our bags, or driving under the influence, just to be safe. Yet, when we engage in such activities to get ahead, to fall less behind, or win the popular vote; are we ultimately recognized when we make mistakes?
Is Presidency about leadership or dictatorship; are the people simply following the man or the power?
I've been itching to do a Presidential movie for weeks now; and not one has come across more compelling than "All the President's Men". My dad made a really good point the other day about these two reporters that broke apart Watergate and ultimately led to the resignation of Nixon. So I felt inspired to take on a movie of such controversy. Now... I am not going to tell you my political choice, or opinion of the resignation because it might sway bias thought provoking reaction. However, I am going to express to you how instrumental your actions are to your life; and just how public your life can be at any moment. Because....
We can't compete exposure.
We all have microscopes on us. There are cameras and people watching. Have you looked up and waived to the satellite yet?
When I was a kid, the Presidents were more than the memorization of the 50 states and capitals; they each had some compelling event that tied them to history. The White House stood for a place of Presidential solitude and the house of our voted leader. When I look back at our Presidents, I think that Abe Lincoln got my "most admirable" vote; yet, maybe it was because that's the only president we kind of got pushed to learn about in elementary school. He was assassinated as the 16th President of the United States by an actor, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy; and he parrelled my knowledge of the Civil War . Yet, look at his successors; they were just as influential. Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, J.F.K., Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, Hoover, Truman, Ford, Carter, George and the other George Bush. These were all staples of America. Yet, I think we all still have a soft spot for the Bill Clinton scandal; even slick willy thinks so too.
Is Presidency supposed to be a battle over the Democrats and Republicans? Or is it a battle over ownership in America?
The definition of President is the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the Chief Executive of the United States.
Are you the CEO of your life? I often at times wonder... who is the CEO in the relationships we create, the CFO that handles the financials and the administration that impacts the decisions? Sometimes it is ok to let the decisions crumble, yet, just remember who's counting on them. It's ok to be deemed a leader, its ok to have a following; yet, when there are holes in the plan, are their missing pieces to the democracy that surrounds us?
"The most powerful man in the United States is President Nixon. You've heard of him? Charles Colson is special counsel to the President. There's a cartoon on his wall. The caption reads, "When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." - Harry Rosenfeld
When a reporter comes knocking at your door with a secret; do you go run, do you hide, do you admit, or do you resign? Did Nixon show fault? Did America show redemption? The Watergate scandal might have cost the world their soul; yet, we still look up to Presidents to define our leadership. Be a leader today. Show your administration your purpose. Without the heart of the goal, the mission of the purpose becomes the struggle of the beast.
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bobbot
Alpha Whiskey
Gary Gladstone
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Dennis Knight
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Comments
You are dead on with the "showing your soul is bad business". As we hop on board the next "trend train".. we sometimes are mis-guided, and other times easily swayed.
Thanks for continued thought evoking comments.
Scanner... democracy is over. You are right.
Another great review and clever analysis, N. Rated.
One memory from that period... My dad was a hardcore Republican from the Midwest who held high ideals of truthfulness and honesty. He was once a HUGE Nixon supporter, but after Watergate broke... he never mentioned Nixon's name again... and he became more and more cynical about all politicians after that period.
You make a great historical reference about your dad here.. its funny, my dad was my inspiration on this one.
Thanks for your comment! Well received!