Thoughts XXVII

On the Presidency. With few exceptions, all are humbled, yet intoxicated by the office.

Donald.  Never thought I think it, but his countless unforced errors leads me to think he may fear being President. He fears getting it, understanding that having it is a monumental job.

Hillary. Her unbridled ambition overrides every other consideration. She primarily wants to get it, and then to worry about having it.

Remember the two goals: to get and to have.  They are different. 

------------

Many important leaders have a handler or two.  Almost all lessor leaders, past and present, have handlers. These persons, living in the shadows, suggest  what to do heavy situations, point toward the greater vision,  guide them to say nothing when nothing should be said, and importantly reinforce how great they are in their quest toward the glory to come.  Some have or had no handlers preferring to follow their own vision, perhaps such Eisenhower, T. Roosevelt, Lincoln, and several of the early presidents. All had advisors. Some listen to them; some follow their own compass.  A handler is quite a different animal.  What else do the handlers do?

• ·       Some  whisper the right thing to do.
• ·       For some, a careful reading of polls suggests actions.
• ·       Some whisper the certainty of immortality.
• ·       Some offer a moral compass as guidance.
• ·       Some read history following past successes to form guideposts.
• ·       Some whisper to their client of their personal greatness.
• ·       Some nourish their own agenda, feeding upon their client.

------------

If you come to a new subject, first think it over. Read a little.  Make your notes and come to a few conclusions.  If you read too soon, what could have been your own ideas will be concealed by vast information.  Your original ideas will be lost.  After you exhaust yourself, then read.  See how original you are and see new things, new approaches and deeper ideas.  Learning is a  process like a predictor-corrector scheme.  You predict. Reading helps you correct.  Repeat this several times.  This leads to your personal ownership of knowledge.

------------

In interpersonal parlance, you do not win the war by winning every argument.