I SAY: All for the love of politics

Opinion

September 8, 2009

By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com The Crossville Chronicle Tue Sep 08, 2009, 10:04 AM CDT

When dawn broke across the Plateau Tuesday morning, Tennessee was learning that Cumberland County had lost one of its best friends. Retired state Sen. Anna Belle Clement O'Brien died Monday night at the age of 86.

She never met a stranger and I was no different when I was introduced to Miss Anna Belle in February of 1984. She asked about my family, about where I had come from and seemed genuinely interested in all I might have to say about myself.

And she asked me if I had registered to vote.

Miss Anna Belle was, indeed, an amazing woman whose love of service to her fellow man was ultimate in her life, just under the love of her family, close and extended.

Anyone who heard an Anna Belle speech can quote some of the key phrases by heart.

"Politics is a beautiful word to me."

"Be for someone. Vote for someone, not against someone."

"Plan your work and work your plan."

"One person can make a difference."

"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing."

These were more than mere words to Miss Anna Belle. I came to learn that she lived those words. We will never know how many lives she touched, how many things she did for people outside the public eye.

When my father died, one of the first notes I received was from Miss Anna Belle. Such a busy person taking time out to send a card of condolence to me was touching. That's just the way she was.

I find it sad that this generation of politicians do not have the passion and love of service that Miss Anna Belle carried. Party and personal gain means more.

The best tribute we can pay to Miss Anna Belle's memory is to carry on her love of service. It is a noble cause to look out for and reach out to each generation's children. It is Biblical to show compassion and care for the least of us, and to give a voice to the voiceless.

I suspect if we all try to do that, Miss Anna Belle will be smiling her approval from above.

Text Only

Opinion

GARY'S WORLD: A birthday worthy of celebrating
Sometimes it's good to rejoice over the simple things in life. In fact, I always have been thankful for the simple things in life that bring me so much joy.

February 9, 2012
RANDOM THOUGHTS: Will the bullying ever stop?
Memories of a 1980 visit to Dachau concentration camp are seared in my mind. They all came back as I read a travel story about Boston.

February 7, 2012
LION AND THE LAMB: The conspiracy against women
One can find many major conspiracies against women throughout history. Most of these have come out of a context of male domination and patriarchal mindsets.

February 7, 2012
WE THE PEOPLE: Meet Grover Norquist
Who is Grover Norquist? Norquist is a private citizen. He has never held an elected office. Yet, he has been called the most influential man in America. Grover Norquist helped cause our economic tragedy, putting millions of Americans out of work. Grover Norquist is dictatorial and uncompromising. Grover Norquist must be stopped.

February 7, 2012
TIDBITS: Duct tape fixes everything
There's an old joke about how all you really need in your tool box is a roll of duct tape and a can of WD-40. Use duct tape if it moves and it shouldn't and WD-40 if it won't move and it should. This fabric-backed tape is one versatile product.

February 6, 2012
STUMPTALK: Democrats dishonor their history
Once upon a time, in this very land, and not so long ago, there were Democrats who were able to summon the courage to provide direction for our nation during times when strong leadership was needed.

February 6, 2012
Gary's World: Game? What game? I'm watching the commercials
Anyone who really knows me, knows that I'm not much of a football fan.

February 2, 2012
We the People: Crime and Punishment
Maybe we don’t have enough tools. Maybe we don’t have enough imagination. Whatever the reason, we in the United States seem to be confused about finding and applying effective solutions to major societal problems. We seem to have a one-size-fits-all solution: use more force, increase the punishments. Our approach seems to be based on anger and revenge instead of logical thought.

January 31, 2012
Lion and the Lamb: Football and religion
Football games and religious services have many similarities. Both deal with the human struggle toward various goals in life, the importance of both individual and group effort, liturgical celebrations that include music, singing, pageantry, symbols, bidding calls and responses, and the ingestion of food and drink. Also, those sports and religious figures that are deemed most successful, such as by filling large gathering places with celebrants, are usually given special rewards and higher remuneration.

January 31, 2012
Random Thoughts: Enjoy a ride on a Merry-Go-Round
Our first son sent a picture of a sign which told about the man who hand carved the elegant animals on a carousel in San Diego, CA. A second picture was of that son, of retirement age but still working, and his young son mounted on two of those animals. Both males wore broad smiles.

January 31, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

I SAY: All for the love of politics

Site Map

Contact Us