The American people seem tired of the old ways of doing politics. They are attracted to the kinder, gentler way of leadership, which Bush has of late embraced. Whether or not he means it, I leave to your judgment. I think Bush and Gore are both seasoned politicians who know well how brutal political battle can be. Nonetheless, the American people seem a bit tired of all the rancor and for that I am grateful.
Political leadership is much like religious leadership.
We are attracted to the kind and the gentle, but also feel secure when our leaders are strong and courageous. Since we live in a world of sin, we must be willing to deal effectively and forcefully with the evil consequences of human greed, ambition and bigotry. The lessons of history confirm that anyone willing to be a slave will be enslaved, anyone willing to be persecuted will by persecuted, and anyone willing to die will be crucified. Don't make me go over the waterfall again. But the journey is not about us and where we want to go, as James and John discover in today's gospel reading.