Respected leaders
Posted by: Lomo on 21 July 2005
With the death of Ted Heath and some of the remarks concerning him On this forum is it a fact that our leaders do not enjoy a high leval of respect after death. Has there been a British leader since Churchill or an American President since Kennedy who is remembered with real affection and a feeling that they brought out the better qualities of their nations.
In Australia I will nominate John Curtin, wartime Labour leader and possibly Bob Menzies as our two candidates.
Posted on: 21 July 2005 by Deane F
This is probably rather morbid of me, but David Lange, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, is gravely ill in hospital and I for one will remember him fondly when he passes.
Posted on: 22 July 2005 by kevj
There's a quote out there somewhere which says that "all political careers end in failure".
Perhaps we remember the ends more strongly than the rest??
Posted on: 23 July 2005 by Lomo
Very sad that our fearless leader couldn't slip across to Germany to see the injured cyclists and afterall it would upset the schedule and that wouldn't be cricket, would it.
You can catch him on the tea break,enjoy.
Posted on: 27 July 2005 by Phil Barry
Soryy - JFK is remembered fondly only by some of us.
On the right, he's the guy ho stole the electio from Nixon; he was Catholic; he was a bootlegger's son; he had too much fun; he had Marilyn; he was too popular.
On the left, he got us into Viet Nam; he's Joe's son; he was too close to Joseph McCarthy; he was too close to Big business.
JFK is still hated in the US by some people.
Churchill was unceremoniously booted out of office by a man who got out of an empty taxi.
Now, Reagan is remembered with affection, though the world would have been better without him - or at least if he continued to act in films and TV instead of pretending to be a world leader.
I remember Jimmy Carter with affection, but few join me in that.
Seriously, though, are today's leaders anything but little, evil shadows compared to their predecessors?
Regards.
Phil
Posted on: 27 July 2005 by Lomo
Interesting reply,Phil. Very subjective I imagine. Main trouble with todays leaders is that they appear to have learnt little from their predecessors.
Todays joe public are a much more cynical and less trusting of their leaders but also are less inclined to change horses midstream. I guess there is no talent around at present to give us an alternative leader in the major Western nations.
And in the eastern bloc whilst we have seen some move to democracy there appears to be a tightening of the noose by the state and very little tolerence given.
The leader I find commands respect is Aung San Sue Kyi of Burma.
She has now turned 60 and has spent the last 15 years in and out of detention.
When you think of it the most respected leaders are those who have fought for their countries and have been prepared to except banishment and prison with little hope of achieving their goals.
