"Observe good faith and justice
towards all nations.
Cultivate peace and harmony within."
George Washington, 1732-1799
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2007-05-01 16:35:05 · 15 answers · asked by holy_see 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Wasington played up the Cinncinatus part to the hilt. Truth be told, he was a politician and as such, he was very much an isolationist. He believed in appeasement -- the pirates of the Barbary Coast were a prime example. Like electricity, helooked for the path of least resistance. And in that case, paying ransom was far easier than making the tough call, committing troops and putting an end to the kidnappings , rape and slavery once and for all. Jefferson was against this and saw that continuing on Washington's (then) present course would never end and ultimately bleed this fledgeling nation dry.
In the world of medicine, you will find healthy cells that are very much homeostatic (in harmony -- balance with itself). And then be danged if out of nowhere comes along a nasty old cancer cell. Know what happens to that nice, harmonious cell? If you want to survive you either undergo a surgical procedure to excise those cells, or you get chemotherapy. Peace through superior fire power.
2007-05-01 16:51:09 · answer #1 · answered by Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it relevant? Yes. Is it practical? Maybe. Can we observe good faith and justice towards all nations? Yes, as a group we can.
Can we do the same for nations individually? No. Its hard. Some nations hate us and we have to deal with their issues. Half the world will say we are acting in good faith and justly, and half the world will say we aren't. Wanna guess which half disagrees?
Nice question. But like I said, hardly practical.
2007-05-01 16:43:02 · answer #2 · answered by krollohare2 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it's a great quote and still relevent today. He also said "As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
"Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty."
"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. "
"The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion."
"It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world." (This includes AIPAC and Israel's influence on us.)
2007-05-01 16:57:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, GW cut down the Cherry tree only after he died, so he might have said the quote after he was dead, too. Actually, the Whigs passed the Alien and Sedition Acts so they certainly were listening to their favorite president and that lousy legislation was the result.
2007-05-01 16:50:02 · answer #4 · answered by Slug 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Notice it doesn't say to cultivate peace and harmony towards all nations, nor faith and justice within. We somehow got it backwards.
2007-05-01 16:42:44 · answer #5 · answered by evans_michael_ya 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i wish our president could hold this view now. for a couple reasons. 1 i wish all countries would be able to have faith in. 2 our president shouldnt even share the same name as nations founder. This world is in serious turmoil. I dont think this can be relevant today.We spend trillions on the oil war, but our social security is running out and medicare is all screwed up, meanwhile the baby boomers are all about to retire.maybe in 2008 things can change. but the next president will be just as screwed up. i think arnold schwarnegger should be president, the first couple of presidents were immigrants and america wouldnt vote for someone who would screw this country up, oops they did twice with the present one. but america would not vote fidel castro as president, get my point. how sad this country is, they would probably vote for sanjaya. sad but true.
2007-05-01 16:44:19 · answer #6 · answered by Reganomics 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It still has relevance -- but not in this current administration.
Everyone seems to think bush is a failure because hispolicies are against the benefit of America, but bush is a complete success in the fact thta he is serving his own befefit -- and thats what he meant by mission accomplished.
He achieved putting himself before the american people
2007-05-01 16:39:41 · answer #7 · answered by writersbIock2006 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think it is just as relevant as it was when he spoke it, perhaps more so. If Bush had studied history we would be in the mess we are in today. Impeach Bush and remove him from office. Bring our troops home alive.
2007-05-01 16:44:27 · answer #8 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is very relevant and I wish we were looking to do exactly that - but alas, our current administration is not trying to cultivate peace or harmony -k-
2007-05-01 16:41:59 · answer #9 · answered by kbama 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
most of the founding father's quotes still hold great meaning in today's world.
2007-05-01 16:41:50 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋