There's probably a little greater case for pessimism than optimism. But I do not rule out optimism. Jim Leach More Quotes by Jim Leach More Quotes From Jim Leach Civility is not about dousing strongly held views. It's about making sure that people are willing to respect other perspectives. Jim Leach perspectiveviewspeople No activity I know is more of a confidence builder and at the same time more 'humility training' than wrestling. Jim Leach humilitysportswrestling If you read literature, you put yourself in somebody else's shoes. You learn from great figures in literature. Jim Leach shoesfiguresliterature Politics has high and low moments. Sometimes it brings out the better angels of our nature; sometimes baser instincts. Jim Leach angelmomentssometimes Public decision-making does not lend itself to certitude. Jim Leach decision-makingdecisiondoe The arts and humanities are vastly more important in troubled times. Jim Leach importanthumanityart The majority of U.S. high school students don't know within 50 years when the Civil War occurred. Jim Leach waryearsschool There are words bandied about that are being misused - words like 'socialism,' words like 'communism,' words like 'fascism. Jim Leach socialismfascismcommunism America is very decentralized in how it supports the humanities, unlike European countries where virtually everything stems from the central government. Jim Leach governmentcountryamerica America somehow thinks that leadership relates to governance, and it certainly does. But society is much bigger than governance, and some of the truly great leadership of our society is outside the governance arena. Jim Leach doeamericathinking History provides a sense of where we've been and lessons that can be taken forward. Jim Leach lessonstaken Civility is not simply about manners. Jim Leach civilitymanners It is hard to cement any relations with any country based on promises that may not be deliverable. Jim Leach maycountrypromise When I look at Social Security, I consider it the most important social program in the United States, arguably the most successful program in the world. Jim Leach united-statesimportantsuccessful I am appalled by the notion of cultural wars. Jim Leach notionwar Drawing on President Bush's reform plan, which would allow citizens to transfer part of their Social Security contributions into personal accounts, an alteration of the current system is needed to make necessary change. Jim Leach reformdrawingpresident Iraqis have held elections and have recently put together their government, all encouraging developments. Jim Leach governmentdevelopmenttogether I have a long-term interest in the humanities. Jim Leach interesthumanitylong A government of, by and for the people is obligated to conduct the nation's business in a manner that respects dissent. Jim Leach dissentgovernmentpeople I think America is going to have to think through whether it wants to uplift the political dialogue or advance an approach that divides and, frankly, can lead to violence. Jim Leach upliftingamericathinking
