A Humble Giant
I was 24 years old and a something of a stranger to Washington when I assumed my post at the White House as a speechwriter for George W. Bush. That has consequences. The longer you hang around our nation's capital, the less you're impressed by its inhabitants. The old saw has it that you spend your first six weeks in D.C. thinking "How did I ever get here?" and the rest of your time thinking "How the hell did everyone else get here?" (I'm told, by those who know, that Wall Street and Hollywood are both the same way).
When you're as young and as green as I was, however, you arrive with eyes substantially less jaundiced. And one of the disheartening aspects of the experience is the frequency with which you notice that people you once regarded as heroes have feet of clay.
Like all centers of power, Washington is overstuffed with individuals obsessed with their public standing, monomaniacal in their pursuit of a heightened Q rating. The District of Columbia was founded nearly 222 years ago, and for nearly 222 years it has been stricken with a drought of humility.
Every once in a while, however, you'd find someone who had achieved something truly momentous -- someone who could be forgiven an excess of ego because they had doubtlessly earned it -- who conducted themselves with all the earnestness and warmth of the deacon in your childhood church or the owner of the local corner store.
The reason I'm indulging in this reflection? Because of this line, that appeared in a column in yesterday's Wall Street Journal:
This may sound odd coming from a Reagan speechwriter, but for much of these past 25 years a question about the Berlin Wall address bothered me: Had it really mattered? The speech had been just that, a speech. Mere talk. Had it made any difference?
The author, of course, is none other than our own Peter Robinson. Peter, I'm sure, wants you to read the piece for what it says about Ronald Reagan (and you should). I want you to read it for what it says about Peter.
I can think of virtually no one in Washington who, having done something as singular as authoring a speech that marked a historical inflection point in the Cold War, wouldn't have made sure -- to his dying day -- that his accomplishment was treated with breathless reverence by everyone he met. People have made much more out of much less. And questioning the impact of your signal professional accomplishment? Unheard of.
That such people can still arrive in such positions of power gave me hope in my White House days. It still does now.
Take heart, Ricochet. Every now and again, Mr. Smith does actually get to Washington.
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Jun '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Another thing that can happen to those working in Washington's fortress of file cabinets is that you'll go to a fellow government worker's funeral, and everybody there (beyond the immediate family) is from the office. A wise mourner might gain a valuable insight there.
Sep '11
Re: A Humble Giant
Character counts, and occasionally changes history. Peter indeed could have been content in the knowledge that a resolute President & his young speechwriter had indeed moved forward the date of Eastern European freedom, but he stayed engaged in the public square. If you don't watch Uncommon Knowledge, you are depriving yourself of a large part of your post-graduate education. Peter gets powerful, interesting and thoughtful people to share much more than one would expect by a simple formula; quote the author's words to them and ask them what they mean (and get out of the way).
Peter will undoubtedly be mortified by this, but thanks, Peter. Troy said it well; not only did Mr. Smith get to Washington, but he got out with his integrity and humility intact. No easy feat, that.
Re: A Humble Giant
"Take heart, Ricochet. Every now and again, Mr. Smith does actually get to Washington."
Hear Hear!! What's even more remarkable, is that our "Mr. Smith" escaped Washington with his soul intact.
May '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Agreed. Peter's signature strength is his humility, and with humility comes clarity. He's one of Ricochet's greatest treasures.
Dec '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Agreed, agreed, and agreed. However, let's not forget the speaker who breathed life into Peter's words. It can be hard at times to know which one reflected the light of the other.Here's the speech. If you haven't watched it in a while you're late.
Oct '10
Re: A Humble Giant
I don't know. Uncommon Knowlege was my gateway drug to Ricochet.
May '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Simply the nicest man on the Internet.
Jul '10
Re: A Humble Giant
I'm going to Austin to see You, Mr. Robinson!
I'll be the one clutching Yer leg, kissing Yer shoes.
Jun '10
Re: A Humble Giant
I can just hear Peter saying, "Oh, my" after reading Troy's post.
Re: A Humble Giant
I absolutely loved Peter's column -- read it this morning. The backstory on Reagan's Wall speech is fascinating and the portrait of Reagan that comes through is inspirational. That's the thing about being Peter Robinson -- you can get Peter Robinson to write your stuff.
Feb '11
Re: A Humble Giant
That line was surely more important than the decision to kill Bin Laden. More gutsy too.
(And we already know that Reagan's best actions were more important than Obama's best speeches.)
Edited on June 9, 2012 at 11:59pmMar '11
Re: A Humble Giant
Peter is a class act. No doubt about it.
May '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Can't see the speech; it's behind the pay wall. And Ricochet is the only thing I pay for on the Internet ..... because it has Peter. (No offense intended to any of the other scribes who bring enjoyment to my screen.). Robert Dammers has it correct: Simply the nicest man on the Internet. It is amazing how much actually can come through this medium.
Aug '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Peter, please forgive me, but I'm going to take an opposite tack. This sentiment can be forgiven, one after all ought to be humble in the immediate aftermath of success. Not here.
Troy Senik, Ed.:
The reason I'm indulging in this reflection? Because of this line, that appeared in a column in yesterday's Wall Street Journal:
Now, I am not part of your club - indeed if you crawled into a circle of me and my bomber friends and proclaimed your efforts on the part of freedom (and we had not known you ahead of time) we would have derided you, righteously.
But it has been 20 years; Troy is in your careerfield - and rightfully lauds your accomplishments. The line is worth an evening of free whiskey or beer, at any establishment frequented by either military folks or citizens of the former Eastern Bloc - forever. It is that momentous.
And you wrote it.
Apr '11
Re: A Humble Giant
Thank you for writing this piece, Troy, even though it will undoubtedly embarrass Peter. I add my hearty dittoes with the rest. We appreciate you, Peter, not the least because of your boyish good cheer and sincere humility.
May '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Psst... Tom,
The WSJ pay wall lets people in if they've been linked from Google.
So you can grab the title of the article, Google that, click on the link there, and read the article for free.
Re: A Humble Giant
Instugator: ... But it has been 20 years; Troy is in your careerfield - and rightfully lauds your accomplishments. The line is worth an evening of free whiskey or beer, at any establishment frequented by either military folks or citizens of the former Eastern Bloc - forever. It is that momentous.
And you wrote it. · 1 hour ago
That right there speaks volumes.
Oct '10
Re: A Humble Giant
Don Tillman
Psst... Tom,
The WSJ pay wall lets people in if they've been linked from Google.
So you can grab the title of the article, Google that, click on the link there, and read the article for free. · 59 minutes ago
Thank you so much for that tid-bit. It works and I will try it for other articles behind the pay wall also.
Nov '11
Re: A Humble Giant
As one whose "post-graduate" continuing education began during the PBS years of Uncommon Knowledge, I must confess to being an inveterate afficianada (I don't want to say "fan-girl"...oops, I just did.) of Peter's for longer than I care to admit. Thank you, Troy and Peter!
May '12
Re: A Humble Giant
Troy and others-
We should be attracted to those that are meek, humble, and lowly. They are key qualities for society and government. Too bad they are frowned upon by others and generally viewed as weaknesses.
In one word, those that bear those qualities are indeed most rare and refined --- through their trials and experiences. In short, they are teachable -- and recognize that they cannot do things by themselves. That each of us needs others and God/inspiration to be our best -- and give back (or "pay-it-forward") those talents we have been blessed with.
I do not know Peter well. However, I do recognize the quality in Mitt Romney. Most folks don't see it ---- yet. But it is there. I believe he will BECOME one of the USA's best presidents. Perhaps it is exactly because he is NOT part of Washington D.C.