Enlightened States-persons:

1. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   The Democrat leaders are trying very hard to fix what Trump broke during his term and restore what was lost after President Obama left Office. Had Hillary Clinton become president, she might have handled the pandemic much better than President Trump did. Kamala Harris may have to step in for Joe Biden, since he is getting rather old and forgetful. I wonder if Hillary will help and assist Kamala with various issues, as Obama is doing for Biden.
   
   "White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday said that President Biden maintains 'regular' communication with Barack Obama on a number of issues."
   
   https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden- … rack-obama
   
   https://www.livemint.com/news/world/hil … 03263.html

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2. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   Interesting list of firsts for American presidents:
   
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U … ial_firsts

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   1. 69

      Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Interestly indeed.

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3. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   "It is in vain to say, that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust ... clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm:
   
   Nor, in many cases, can such an adjustment be made at all, without taking into view indirect and remote considerations, which will rarely prevail over the immediate interest which one party may find in disregarding the rights of another or the good of the whole.
   
   The inference to which we are brought, is, that the causes of faction cannot be removed; and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects."
   
   In the case of a minority faction, "relief is supplied" by the" republican principle" which enables the majority to defeat the minority faction's sinister views by regular vote: The Republican principle of regular vote may clog the administration, convulse the society; but the effect will be that the minority faction will be unable to execute its designs and" mask its violence" under the laws of the Constitution of the United States. When there is a majority faction, a democracy, where there is an honest vote, will ENABLE the majority faction to  s a c r i f i c e  its own ruling passions or interests, for the sake of:
   
   1.The public good.
   2.The rights of other citizens.
   
   The objective of good government is to secure what is in the best interest of the public good / private rights against the dangers of factions, and at the same time, preserve the spirit and form of  p o p u l a r  government/democracy.
   
   Extracted/interpreted from Paper No.10, The Federalist Papers, James Madison.

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4. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   " ... the most common and durable source of factions, has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold, and those who are without property, have ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who are creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a monied interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views. " Madison

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5. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   "Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty;
   
   that our governments are too unstable;
   
   that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties;
   
   and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice, and the rights of the minor party;
   
   but by the superior force of an interested and over-bearing majority.
   
   It will be found ... that some of the distresses under which we labour, have been erroneously charged on the operation of our governments;
   
   but it will be found at the same time, that other causes will not alone account for many of our heaviest misfortunes;
   
   and particularly, for that prevailing and increasing distrust of public engagements,
   
   and alarm for private rights, which are echoed from one end of the continent to the other.
   
   These must be ... effects of the unsteadiness and injustice, with which a factious spirit has tainted our public administration." Madison

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6. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   "There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: The one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.
        There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: The one by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.
   It could never be more truly said than of the first remedy, that it is worse than the disease. Liberty is to faction, what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be a less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.
        The second expedient is as impracticable, as the first would be unwise. As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other;"
   etc. here:
   https://founders.archives.gov/documents … 10-02-0178

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7. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   Interesting, indeed.
   Barack Obama: "First president to have a Catholic vice president (Joe Biden)."

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8. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   George Washington: "First president who wasn't part of a political party."

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9. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

   John Adams:
   "First president to have previously served as vice president.
   First president to be defeated for a second term in office.
   First president to not attend the inauguration of his successor, (Thomas Jefferson)
   First president to live to the age of 90.
   First president to have signed the Declaration of Independence."

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10. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Thomas Jefferson: First president whose inauguration was not attended by his immediate predecessor, (John Adams)
    First president to defeat the man (Adams) whom he had previously lost to in a presidential election.
    First president who defeated an incumbent president.
    First president whose election was decided in the United States House of Representatives.
    First president to have an inaugural parade; occurred during his second inauguration.
    First president to cite the doctrine of executive privilege.
    First president to have a vice president elected under the 12th Amendment.

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11. 69

    Miebakagh57posted 2 years ago

    America can accommondate every citizen of any nation whoever lives in America to aspire to elective office.

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    1. 77

       Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       well, this is true, but there are many conditions facilitating or preventing the possibility.
       
       Look what happened to Trump. How he *seemed* is what lead to his removal from public office. Biden *seems* kind and good, but look what has happened! Nevertheless ...
       
       President Joe Biden should be impeached, but because of his kind demeanor, he will not be, despite  A L L .

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       1. 77

          Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

          "America can accommondate every citizen of any nation whoever lives in America to aspire to elective office."
          
          Corrections:
          1. accommondate (see the red underline?)
          2. every person who is a citizen (of any *nationality* ?)
          
          meaning of "Elective office:"
          1. A public office which is filled by an election.
          2. A person who is appointed to fill a vacancy in a public office that is ordinarily elective holds an elective office. 
          3. Elective office does not include a federal office.
          
          Rewritten:
          "America accommodates any citizen of any nationality, as long as they live in and were born in America, who aspires to elective office."
          
          Every office has various requirements, as directed by the Constitution:
          
          Legal requirements for presidential candidates:
          1. Be a natural born citizen of the United States
          2. Be a resident for 14 years
          3. Be 35 years of age or older
          
          Representatives:
          1. Must be twenty five
          2. Be a citizen of the United States for at least seven years
          3. Live in the State in which he will be chosen

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          1. 69

             Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

             In the USA Army, they are three Nigerians born as Nigerian serving as commission officers. 2 are Yuroba ladies and the other guy an Ibo. These rank from Lft.                                                 It would be interesting if they will later aspire to elective office.                                      The  USA constitutional definition of a citizen makes it easier for any person from any part of the world to be integrate as a citizen of the United States. The founding fathers are much interested in populating the states to get human resources for the vast natural resources. "Go West" young man, and open up the country.

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             1. 77

                Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

                I do not know. How to find out?

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                1. 69

                   Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

                   Do some research. Google 'american soldiers with nigeria roots,' wikipedia, opera news...knowledge is infinite.

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                   1. 88

                      MizBejabbersposted 2 years agoin reply to this

                      I don't understand what Nigeria has to do with Afghanistan.

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                      1. 77

                         Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

                         He was rambling on off topic: well, what is the topic? we are pretty much all over the place.
                         He wrote:
                         "In the USA Army, they are three Nigerians born as Nigerian serving as commission officers. 2 are Yuroba ladies and the other guy an Ibo. These rank from Lft.                                               
                         It would be interesting if they will later aspire to elective office.                                     
                         The  USA constitutional definition of a citizen makes it easier for any person from any part of the world to be integrate as a citizen of the United States. The founding fathers are much interested in populating the states to get human resources for the vast natural resources. "Go West" young man, and open up the country." M

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                         1. 69

                            Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

                            Kathryn, I can understand. I hope you are coming home.                                    You and me has many things in common here. The thread about these state enlighten persons is still interesting. Thanks.

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                      2. 69

                         Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

                         Miz, Yea, Nigeria has got nothing to do with Afghanistan. Good that you response. But I am specific to Kathryn. Thanks!

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    2. 88

       MizBejabbersposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Miebakagh, it depends on the office. A candidate for president of the U.S. must be a citizen BORN in the United States. He or she cannot, at this point in time, be a naturalized citizen. It has been stated by some constitutional scholars that this was written into the constitution to eliminate Alexander Hamilton, who was born in the British West Indies, from running for President.

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       1. 77

          Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

          ... ridiculous.

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          1. 77

             Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

             "Notable delegates to the Convention included
             James Madison
             Alexander Hamilton
             Benjamin Franklin
             George Washington presided over the gathering, which lasted from May 27 to September 17, 1787.
             
             Many of these delegates were educated and well-read individuals, and their ideas on government had been informed by Enlightenment writers.
             John Locke (1632-1704) of England 
             Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) of France
             were particularly influential on those who wrote the Constitution.
             
             In his Two Treatises on Government, Locke condemned monarchy and cast aside the centuries-old idea that governments derive their legitimacy from divine sanction. Instead, governments owed their legitimacy to the people.
             
             The chief function of government, he said, was to secure the rights of life, liberty, and property. According to Locke, the best government is one that is accountable to the people though the democratic election of representatives who may be replaced if they fail to achieve the protection of rights."
             
             https://allthatsinteresting.com/who-wro … nstitution

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             1. 69

                Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

                That's a great groundwork for the present USA constitution and government.

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                1. 77

                   Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

                   John Locke (1632-1704) of England 
                   Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) of France
                   David Hume (1711-1776) of Scotland
                   Greek and Roman history

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          2. 88

             MizBejabbersposted 2 years agoin reply to this

             I won't argue with that, but it's true. There have been some discussions of eliminating the birth part of the law, but they seemingly stopped with the presidency of Obama. Many in opposition to him, including Donald Trump tried to say that he wasn't born in the United States, but the "birther movement" failed. Before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted as states, the candidate had to have been born in the continental U.S. There has also been some question as to whether a person born on U.S. military base outside the U.S. would or would not be eligible since the base is not considered U.S. soil. This article says that is all baloney, but I've seen no indication that the "outside of the U.S. birth part of the law has been rescinded.
             
             https://www.military.com/spousebuzz/blo … ident.html
             
             This applies only to the presidency, not their appointees. Remember that Henry Kissinger was a German who was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1943.

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       2. 69

          Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

          Barak Obama? Wondering.

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          1. 88

             MizBejabbersposted 2 years agoin reply to this

             Obama was born in Hawaii, a state of the U.S. A legitimate birth certificate was produced for him.

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12. 68

    Abecedarianposted 2 years ago

    Biden has done nothing impeachable? That's just right wing propaganda.

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    1. 77

       Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       ... why the question mark?: ?

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13. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Now that Biden has gotten the US out of Afghanistan, we can afford the infrastructure bill.
    We are lucky to have an enlightened statesman at the helm.

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14. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    "The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree
    
                      endowed with the requisite qualifications.
    
    Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single State;
    
    but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit,
    
    to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union,
    or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of
    
                              President of the United States.
    
    It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue. And this will be thought no inconsiderable recommendation of the Constitution, by those who are able to estimate the share which the executive in every government must necessarily have in its good or ill administration.
    
    Though we cannot acquiesce in the political heresy of the poet who says:
    
    "For forms of government
      Let fools contest ...
      That which is best administered
      Is best,''
    
    yet we may safely pronounce, that the true test of a good government is its aptitude and tendency to produce
    
                                a good administration."
    
    Thank You, Alexander Hamilton, born in 1751.
    
    https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed68.asp

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15. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    ... could we please step away from Obama? why discuss HIM? who knows if that birth certificate was forged. He pledged his oath to presidency on the Koran!!!! refused the Christian Bible.
    
    Heres some enlightenment for you:
    SEAL who killed Bin Laden slams Biden, calls for Gen. Milley to resign over Afghanistan collapse
    
    “My friends who died for no reason would be disgusted with this administration,” he continued.
    
    https://americanmilitarynews.com/2021/0 … TrYYNReLuA

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    1. 69

       Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Why "...could we please step away from Obama"?                                     As a Nigerian(African), I had zero interest in his history prio to him becoming a President. But he has serve two terms and gone. His citizenship is a now precedent and a case law. And what about Senator Cruz? He is still relevant for the presdency if he can still maintain the ambition. And Henry Kingsinger? I cannot recall...my knowledge of his Presidency if any is very scanty.

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16. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    In Biden's defense, he said,
    
    “If they attack our personnel, the U.S. presence will be swift and the response will be forceful. We will defend our people with devastating force, if necessary ...”
    
    Well, Good!
    
    What would that "devastating force" look like, I wonder.

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    1. 77

       Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       ... does "our personnel" include the Afghan people?

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       1. 88

          MizBejabbersposted 2 years agoin reply to this

          That's a good question. It appears to include the Afghan's who have aided the U.S. forces. For instance, we are trying to remove and relocate the Afghan interpreters and their families who are in mortal peril. Some of them are in hiding and are having difficulties getting to the air transports though. I wonder what is being done to aid them.

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       2. 77

          Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

          "Biden says the military will help evacuate thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States, and he expands refugee-status access for vulnerable Afghans."
          
          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan

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    2. 69

       Miebakagh57posted 2 years agoin reply to this

       I think those who are cow boys or whoever has serve in the United States Army can understand.                                      Had Ronald Reagan said that, I think you could find no difficulty in understanding. Reagan deal hard on Tripoli, and brought about her fall.

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       1. 77

          Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years agoin reply to this

          Human Resources ...  hmmmm ...
          
          
          - In present time, it might be too/very difficult to become a citizen, but we do have a lot of people by now. Enlioghtened as they were, the founding fathers could not have envisioned the future: the gigantic extent of the republic/population.

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17. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Meanwhile:
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-polic … ghanistan/

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18. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    “If they attack our personnel, the U.S. presence will be swift and the response will be forceful. We will defend our people with devastating force, if necessary ...”
    
    Yes, it would sound different coming from a truly enlightened statesman.

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19. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Home vs abroad
    
    here is some Home-Abroad stuff dealing with eradicating Communism:
    Its from 2012, but very interesting and enlightening, if you ask me.
    
    https://www.kabulpress.org/article108232.html

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20. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Enlightened states-person at the helm?
    Osama bin Laden:
    " The SEAL team also recovered his 228-page journal, which records thoughts he expressed to family members between February and April of 2011. (It’s unclear exactly how many people were living at the compound at the time of the raid, but it’s known that the cadre included several of his wives, along with multiple children and grandchildren, along with his couriers and their families.) Believed to have been recorded for him by one of his daughters,
    
    ... the diary revealed his thoughts on the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings taking place in several majority-Muslim countries and his vision for Al Qaeda's place in world politics:
    
    “This chaos and the absence of leadership in the revolutions is the best environment to spread al-Qaeda's thoughts and ideas,” the journal says."
    
    From:
    https://www.history.com/news/bin-laden- … belongings

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21. 77

    Kathryn L Hillposted 2 years ago

    Enlightenment:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJmeV5KXPz0

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