A member of the Republican Party, Margaret Chase Smith served as a U.S. representative (1940–1949) and a U.S. senator (1949–1973) from Maine. The first woman to serve in both chambers of congress. She was the first woman to be nominated for president.
During the dark days of the Joseph McCarthy inquisitions, she gained fame for her criticism of McCarthy in her speech on the Senate floor, “Declaration of Conscience.” A good friend sent me a copy and I thought it was a great read.
In the speech she said — “The Democratic administration has greatly lost the confidence of the American people by its complacency to the threat of communism and the leak of vital secrets to Russia through key officials of the Democratic administration. There are enough proved cases to make this point without diluting our criticism with unproved charges.
Surely these are sufficient reasons to make it clear to the American people that it is time for a change and that a Republican victory is necessary to the security of this country. Surely it is clear that this nation will continue to suffer as long as it is governed by the present ineffective Democratic Administration.
Yet to displace it with a Republican regime embracing a philosophy that lacks political integrity or intellectual honesty would prove equally disastrous to this nation. The nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I don’t want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny – Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry and Smear.
I doubt if the Republican Party could – simply because I don’t believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest.”
The speech is very long but, in my opinion a very worthy read for every American. She was an insightful courageous woman.
https://loa-shared.s3.amazonaws.com/static/pdf/Smith-Declaration-Conscience.pdf
Geena Davis is a talented woman. She is an Oscar winning actress. She’s also a member of Mensa, an Olympic archer, a special envoy for women and girls in technology for the United Nations, and a mother of three.
I was impressed to read how she has worked for women’s equality in film and television. Her method was to develop an ongoing research project demonstrating disparity. She develops facts and puts them before decision makers.
Her approach has improved the status of women in the industry. We need more people with facts rather than opinions and feelings.
How Geena Davis became a champion for women on screen | Festivals | The Guardian
We are at our cottage in Gulf Shores. Jeny celebrated her birthday yesterday. When some people get old, they do not like to celebrate birthdays. We are just the opposite. We are glad to have them and hope we have a few more. She is still happy to host friends and family, plays bridge and has an active life. I am delighted she is my life’s partner. I will use a survey about Alabama to demonstrate why I am delighted with her.
I was pleased to see Alabama finish first in a good category. Often, we are near the bottom in good categories and near the top in the bad ones.
A recent study showed Alabama was first in money management. The authors were surprised because the income level per capita is so low.
I am not surprised. We did our best budgeting when we had very little money. Years ag, when I attended graduate school, we lived in a trailer with meager means. Jeny did a great job managing a very meager budget. She is a good partner.
Good News
Giving Back
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Will Provide Free Books To Every Child In Montana (sunnyskyz.com)
First Responder
South Carolina Deputy’s Small Act Of Kindness Changes Woman’s Entire Life (sunnyskyz.com)
Lifesavers
Nurse And Boyfriend’s Heroic Efforts Save Man’s Life During Mid-Flight Emergency (sunnyskyz.com)
Peace
Jerry
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