I use up a lot of notebooks. Being cursed with a memory that never was what it used to be, I have to keep a 5×8 spiral notebook close at hand. And dog-eared little pocket notebooks and pens are stuffed in my gym-bag, golf bag, car and wherever.
The trouble with that system is that my next entry will be jotted in whichever book is at hand. So theres no continuity of content, just a jumble of observations about this and that. Inefficient? Of course, but when one is a compulsive note-taker, who cares about inefficiency. Like a familys boxes of old photos, my stack of notebooks is a dust-collecting testimony that special events or words sometimes stir me enough to take up my pen.
When I opened a pair of recent notebooks to try to glean something useful, my eye fell on a presidential quote. And then another. Which led to organizing presidential quotes in yet another notebook. They are the kind of quotations that require no explanations, just an enquiring mind that doesnt mind weighing peoples statements against their circumstances to judge whether they were on-course or not. For instance, might President Bushs focus on the 9/11 event explain why he abandoned his campaign statements?
Whenever a past President said something memorable, it was because of the circumstances of his time. What is intriguing is that many of their quotations speak so clearly of todays issues. Try these. See how they reflect on the world of today.
President Lincoln Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?
President Grover Cleveland Above all, tell the truth.
President Woodrow Wilson I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world; no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of as small group of dominant men. 1919, Commenting on the effects of banks and bankers on the nation.
President Harry S. Truman Once a government is committed to the principal of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear. August 8, 1950
President Harry S. Truman I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.
HST The responsibility of the great states is to serve and not to dominate the world. Recently quoted by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his farewell speech. Dec. 11, 2006
President Dwight W. Eisenhower War is now utterly preposterous. Before a joint session of the Congress of Brazil, February 24, 1960
DWE We do not wish to impose our particular form of Democracy upon another. Ibid.
DWE The world thinks of us as a country which is strong, but one which will never start a war. State of the Union speech, January 9, 1958
DWE Our nation supports without reservation the complete sovereignty and independence of each and every nation of the Middle East. Radio and TV broadcast, January 5, 1957
DWE: In the councils of government, we must guard against the unwarranted acquisition of influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. Farewell address, January 17, 1961
President George W. Bush I am worried about over-committing our military around the world. I want to be judicious in its use. I dont think nation-building missions are worthwhile. Presidential debate, Wake Forest University, Oct. 11, 2000
GWB But the use of the military needs to be in our vital interest. The mission needs to be clear and the exit strategy obvious. Presidential debate, Wake Forest University, Oct. 11, 2000
GWB Im not so sure the role of the United States is to go around the world and say, This is the way its got to be. New York Times, Oct. 30, 2000
GWB If were an arrogant nation, theyll resent us. If were a humble nation, but strong, theyll welcome us. Wake Forest University debate
GWB I would be very guarded in my approach. I dont think we can be all things to all people in the world I would be very careful about using our troops as nation-builders. Presidential debate, Boston, October 3, 2000
GWB Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. September 20, 2001
GWB They want the federal government controlling Social Security like its some kind of federal program! November 2, 2000
Just as you cannot un-ring a bell, words once spoken cant be unspoken. Each President is judged by comparing his words with his deeds and it is when words dont square with deeds that we have problems.

Comments may be addressed to: rgraef@verizon.net.