“Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself – that is my doctrine.” -Thomas Paine If something is my right, then it ought to be another’s.
Author Archives: Thomas Schueneman
On Being Wise vs. Being Gratified
Wisdom is not the purchase of a day
Thomas Paine
On the Popularity of Fox News
“Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.” -Thomas Paine If Glenn Beck says the government wants to tax your breathing under the guise of global warming legislation, that doesn’t mean it’s true. If Sarah Palin tells us that health care reform is an evil plot, it’s more a reflection of …
On Toyota, Recalls, and Reputation
“Character is much easier kept than recovered.” -Thomas Paine The reputation Toyota had earned as a trusted global car-maker took decades to build, but mere weeks to lose. Their most valuable asset too easily squandered and perhaps never fully recovered. There’s a lesson in there for all of us.
On Dick Cheney Boasting of His Support for Torture
“An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws.” -Thomas Paine When former vice president Dick Cheney parades his support for torture in front of the world, he abdicates all moral authority along with the principals of freedom and liberty …
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On Justice for Terrorists
“He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” -Thomas Paine Vengeance is a self-fulfilling prophesy, feeding on its own cycle of hate and retribution. Victory over the insidious pull of a false sense …
On the Better Use of a Billion Dollars: Corporate Bailouts or Scholarships
“A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.” -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man Believing that a company is too big to fail, while the education of the coming generation falters, is an aristocracy of government-by-corporation that cannot …
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On Becoming Set In Your Ways
“Time makes more converts than reason” -Thomas Paine, Common Sense With time comes experience, with experience, conviction.
On Fox News and Peddling Suspicion
“Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.” -Thomas Paine The issue isn’t really what matters. What matters is to cast doubt on whatever position your opponent takes on the issue.
On Politics vs. Leadership
“A little matter will move a party, but it must be something great that moves a nation.” -Thomas Paine, Rights of Man Political polarization is not the path to true leadership. When politics refuses to go beyond party at all costs, it remains small, unable to lead. Greatness and leadership is usually found outside the …