Tennyson & the Governor of Illinois

“One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," said Rod Blagojevich, the impeached governor of Illinois, quoting Tennyson’s poem, Ulysses.

I wonder if the governor has actually read the entire poem and if he understands its meaning. Tennyson wrote Ulysses, in part, as a tribute for a dear friend who had passed away. In the poem, Ulysses is old, reflecting on his life and its approaching end. Tennyson’s words have great meaning when repeated by an old warhorse like Ted Kennedy. They make no sense at all when spoken by a 52-year old - unless he is eulogizing his own career. I assume Blagojevich hoped to give the impression of a fighter, someone who goes down swinging.

The entire Blagojevich situation is unfortunate but this writer is particularly rankled that the governor so glibly uses words to which he has no connection. He conveys, yet again, that he does not think about what he is saying. As much as his expletives offend, so does his use of Tennyson.

"We are not now that strength which in old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are.”

That much is true, Mr. Blagojevich. You are what you are.

George Washington & the Governor of Illinois

“The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.” – George Washington

Much has been made of the expletives used by the governor of Illinois and caught on the surveillance tapes. By George Washington’s definition, Governor Blagojevich is not a person of sense or character. The citizens of Illinois probably agree.

There was a lot of material on the tapes and eventually we will hear all of it. Regarding the segments that were released to the media, much was made of Blagojevich’s profanity. For awhile it appeared that his use of the F-word was more important to reporters than anything else on the tapes. I was surprised by the hubbub. Dropping the F-bomb has become so commonplace.

Why all the attention to one word and its derivatives? Perhaps it was because we the people hope for exemplary performance from our leaders and that includes their use of language. We do not expect our leaders to dissolve into emotional rants laced with expletives.

I have heard many writers in workshops and in interviews state that when expletives are used routinely it demonstrates a lack of skill.

According to George Washington, it demonstrates more than that.