Ursula von der Leyen Warned Us of the Totalitarian Winds

Ursula von der Leyen

Sometimes even the tritest metaphor brings great power to a public speech. Metaphors express our values. So, we might ask, how are the winds of history blowing? What about the attacks that totalitarian regimes launch against seemingly stable democracies? On October 19, 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC. She warned the assemblage that freedom was under worldwide attack. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of violence between Hamas and Israel especially alarmed her. Winds, she said? No, she insisted, the attack on freedom was at “gale force:”

“The winds are not just blowing today. Today, they are at gale force. Our democracies are under sustained and systemic attack by those who abhor freedom because it threatens their rule. For more than 600 days now, our friends in Ukraine have been fighting and dying for their freedom against Russian aggression. And now, Israel has suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history, and the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust.” [italics supplied]

Von der Leyen pointed out the common barbarity of Hamas and Russia in their terrible wars:

“Russia and Hamas are alike. As President Zelenskyy has said their ‘essence is the same”. Both have deliberately sought out innocent civilians, including babies and children, to kill and take hostage.”

Continuing her argument, von der Leyen insisted that the winds of evil can be stopped. The defeat of representative government is not written in stone. As she reminded the Institute, the democratic nations defeated fascist forces around the world during World War II:

“We have not forgotten that in World War II, democracy won over fascism and autocracy. This triumph set the foundation of our peace order. And this is not only about the past, but it will also define our future.”

So, von der Leyen was right. We must learn from the past. We look to the past to understand the future. We rely on our basic values. So often, people think that authoritarian and fascist governments are stronger than the world’s democracies and constitutional republics. History emphatically refutes that view. She reminded her conservative audience that the historical lesson rings true today.

In the United States Congress, support for the Ukrainians is under emphatic attack from major Republican leaders, while a few Democrats have expressed reluctance about supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas. Surely, while she never mentioned names, von der Leyen timed her speech well.

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The foreign policy implications of current world conflicts are complex, and I have no foreign policy expertise. Still, can we remember von der Leyen’s metaphor, that “gale force” winds are attacking the world order that has brought us prosperity and which has kept us free from World War for decades. She stated to all of us that history is on the side of freedom. She reminded us that vicious, murderous regimes bring their countries to bad ends.

The Hudson Institute is a conservative think tank that is sometimes associated with the neocon movement. Von der Leyen, a voice for European conservativism, called for unity, not discord, between Europe and the United States and the struggle for freedom. Her simple metaphor of “gale force” winds reminds all of us that we face horrible challenges.

European President Ursula von der Leyen Called for European Unity during the Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Peace, justice, and prosperity must always be supported by wisdom. The speech received little attention in the United States, despite the influential audience to which she addressed it. The American press is more interested in Biden’s gaffes or Donald Trump’s temper tantrums. Von der Leyen ignored the squabbling details of American and European politics, relying instead on moral values drawn from history.

Indeed, calm, reasoned, and thoughtful rhetoric should never go out of date. As we face terrifying winds, let us acknowledge them, at the same time that we remember the blessings of living in free countries.

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P.S. Von der Leyen, a conservative German leader, faced up to her nation's Nazi past in this speech. I'd love to hear more American conservatives rise above our own past. What do you think? 

by William D.Harpine

© Copyright 2023, William D. Harpine

Image: European Union, via Wikimedia Commons

Joe Biden Reminded Us That America Can Do Anything - If We Work Together!

Joe Biden

Pessimism and a shroud of doom and gloom reign across the United States of America. That is why it is remarkable that President Joe Biden ended his October 20, 2023 White House speech about American policy toward Ukraine and Israel by reminding Americans that our nation remains powerful.

And look at the gloom! The Republican Party’s majority caucus in the House of Representatives removed their own Speaker of the House, offering no viable alternative, and consequently shut down the legislative process. Surveys by the prestigious Pew Research Center show that Americans in general, and especially Republicans, are losing confidence in the nation's ability to move forward and make their lives better.

Let’s first look at the speech’s ending. So often, the ending states what the speaker cares about the most. Biden ended his speech by pointing out that America is great. Great, he insisted, not only in power, but also in character: 

“In moments like these, we have to remind — we have to remember who we are. We are the United States of America — the United States of America. And there is nothing — nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.”

That is such a simple point, is it not? The United States has vast natural resources, a time-tested constitutional system, formidable natural barriers against invasion, the world’s greatest system of higher education, superb port cities, and astonishing industrial capabilities. We were the Arsenal of Democracy in World War II. We are the nation that built the Interstate highway system. Our light has been the world’s beacon of freedom for centuries. Our power today has diminished, not because we have lost our capabilities, but from a crisis of confidence.

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Yet, today, we no longer think we can accomplish anything. Terrified to start new programs, horrified by change, increasingly intolerant, the United States acts as if we can hide inside our shell and everything will be fine. Biden reminded us otherwise:

“American leadership is what holds the world together. American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with.”

For, as Biden implied, if we lose our uniting values, what do we have left? Political pundits across the spectrum have praised this October 20 speech for its bold statement of policy. Nevertheless, the cruel futility of isolationism increasingly splits our nation apart. Fox News host Brit Hume commented that: “I think it may be remembered as one of the best, if not the best speeches (sic) of his presidency.” Yet, reluctant to aid Ukraine, Republican Senator J. D. Vance called Biden’s speech “completely disgraceful.” 

That is why we need to focus, first and foremost, on the values that Biden underlined: commitment, confidence, moral judgment, and national responsibility. In my youth, these values would have been indisputable. What has gone wrong?

Since I am not a foreign policy expert, I cannot predict which specific foreign policies are the best. Like most people, I love peace. I do know, however, that anger and pessimism can never play the role that only wisdom can fulfill.

Professor Jeffrey Tulis wrote about the rhetorical presidency, that is, the way presidents have to bypass Congress and take policies directly to the public. In this speech, Biden took it a step further by asking us to take common cause and work together 

My father, father-in-law, and uncle were part of the generation that won World War II. All three paid a price. That generation knew that the United States could do whatever we set out to do. If anything, the United States’ economic and political capabilities have grown far stronger than in 1941. In this vital speech, President Biden carefully reminded us that we are losing, not ability, but confidence, the ability to work together for the common values that we all purport to share. That, and not Biden’s specific policies, represented the speech’s heart. Are we listening? 

By William D. Harpine

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Earlier Posts:

President Joe Biden Appealed for Unity in His 2022 State of the Union Speech. Is It Too Late?

Biden's August 31, 2021 Speech about Afghanistan: Did He Reset the Agenda? Maybe Not

© Copyright 2023, William D. Harpine

Image: White House photo

Kamala Harris' College Speech: Voting is the Way

Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris told a college group that, to fight for our freedoms, we need to vote. Speaking on October 12, 2023 at The College of Southern Nevada, Harris offered two points in favor of voting. Let us hear what she said, for the United States is a representative republic, and our most basic responsibility is to vote. During the roundtable, Harris gave a speech to persuade, and she brought up a value and a policy to show her audience why young people need to vote. The value justifies the policy; the policy, in turn, affects our lives. 

Harris first point was a value. She pointed out that Americans have died in the struggle for voting rights, and that, when we vote, we honor their memory. If people were willing to risk, and, indeed, to sacrifice their lives to give us the right to vote, the least we can do is show up on Election Day:

“But voting — and here’s the thing: You know, we will talk often about the importance of voting in the — the historical context of the fact that people marched, fought, shed blood, and died for the right to vote for so many of the people who are here.”

Harris then explained her second point, a point of policy. Her second point was that elections make a difference. Yes, we can demonstrate, or write letters to the editor, or post ridiculous comments on social media, but our leaders ultimately only care about votes.

If we want to influence our country's direction, the ultimate way to do that is to vote. If you wave a sign in your yard and don't vote, your opinion doesn't matter. If you sail in a boat rally, and don't vote, your opinion doesn't matter. If you wave a flag from your porch and don’t vote, well, what is the point of waving the flag? Your opinion only matters if you vote. Our government depends on what the voters say on Election Day. If we want to achieve our policy goals, we need to vote. There is no substitute:

“The other thing that we should know is that elections matter. When you vote, you have the ability to determine the outcome of who will be making decisions on issues like we have discussed. And there’s so many leaders surrounding issues like immigration, on issues like the climate crisis, on issues like what the President and I have been fighting for to reduce student loan debt — (applause) — on issues —

“On a variety of issues that we will discuss today, almost every one of them will ultimately be decided by the people who vote in their numbers on the issues they care about. Right?”

Think about it. We read about opinion polls, whether the public prefers this candidate or that candidate, whether the public likes this issue or that issue. Those polls ultimately make no difference. All that matters is this: how do people vote?

Contrary to what people often think, political campaigns have little effect on voters’ opinions. Few Trump supporters will watch a television commercial, change their minds, and vote for Biden. Few Biden supporters will watch a television commercial, change their minds, and vote for Trump. The main reason for political campaigns is to encourage one’s supporters to vote. It’s the votes that matter.

The United States of America’s survival and success depends on whether people show up and vote. In the 1860s, voter turnout was often more than 80%. We've really sunk since then, haven't we? Yes, your vote is only one among many, but it is the many votes that count.

So, no matter what political views you do or do not believe, your most basic obligation as an adult American citizen is to vote--to vote every time, in every election, and to treasure that right on which all of our other rights rely.

Harris’ speech reached out to young adults—the group with the lowest voter turnout—and encouraged them to participate in our great republic. She gave a value, to honor those who gave us that right. She gave a policy, that we need to vote to achieve our national goals. What better purpose can a speech serve?

by William D. Harpine

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Kamala Harris' Speech at West Point: Tradition and Innovation

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Stephen Breyer's Retirement Speech Reminded Us That the United States Is an Experiment

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© Copyright 2023, William D. Harpine

Image: Official White House photo

Pope Francis Asked the Catholic Church to Listen

Pope Francis

“The Church: a single harmony made up of many voices and the work of the Holy Spirit. That is how we should think of the Church.”

So said Pope Francis on October 4, 2023 at the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, devoted to the topic of “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” Francis emphasized that the Synod needed to rely on spiritual guidance. A synod (literally, “gathering”) is a meeting to discuss issues. The Synod’s title says “communion.” Let us think about communion: we all want to be heard. We want to be part of a greater group. That means we all need to listen. Not just Catholics, but all of us.

Francis emphasized the Synod’s need to rely on spiritual guidance.

Francis' speech emphasized the importance of listening. To resolve controversies, he insisted we must start by understanding one another. We must understand one another's perspectives. We must hear one another. Francis focused the participants’ attention on that basic feature of human life.

That is not merely true of the Catholic Church; It is true of everyone. Listening is not just good communication; it is the fundamental human value that helps us work together. To resolve controversies, we must begin by hearing one another.

We cannot expect everyone to share the same opinions, even in an authoritarian, tradition-bound organization like the Catholic Church. Pope Francis had once said that it was an “honor” when the conservative American bishops criticized him. Because to resolve our disagreements, we must, first, know what those disagreements are.

So often, when people meet, our goal is to state our own opinions. We frequently want to win more than we want to understand. In contrast, Francis said that the Synod’s purpose was to listen. Reversing the usual way we think, Francis stated that the Synod’s purpose was not to make decisions, but to share questions and issues:

“If the Spirit is in our midst to guide us, it will be a good Synod. If there are other ways of going about things, based on human, personal or ideological interests, it will not be a Synod, but more of a parliamentary meeting, which is another thing.”

Francis concluded that it was time for a break, like a vacation, when people could listen rather than argue:

“It is a break for the whole Church, as we engage in listening. This is the most important message.”

If no one listens, what good is it to speak? The Catholic Church, like many religious (and political!) groups, faces conflicts between liberals and conservatives, men and women, and tradition versus insight. To resolve those issues, the church's leaders need, first and foremost, to understand one another. Furthermore, to understand, we must listen before we disagree.

So, Francis insisted:

“Then, I want to say that in this Synod – also to make room for the Holy Spirit – the priority should be to listen.”

That is good advice for families, couples, political groups, and all the rest of us.

Yes, the Catholic Church has faced many moral dilemmas in recent decades. The Catholic Church has long underestimated those dilemmas, and, sadly, often continues to do so. The fact remains that churches, like many other institutions, are imperfect assemblages of human beings, and can offer deep insights to all of us. So, let us remember to listen.

by William D. Harpine

© William D. Harpine, 2023

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Pope Francis' Christmas Message

Pope Francis Organized His Protection of Minors Speech to Divert Attention from the Catholic Church's Failings

Pope Francis' Sermon for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Image: US government photo, via Wikimedia Commons

“You Can’t Love Your Country Only When You Win:” Joe Biden’s Speech Honoring John McCain

Joe Biden Honoring John McCain

“Democracy means rule of the people, not rule of monarchs, not rule of the monied, not rule of the mighty. Regardless of party, that means respecting free and fair elections; accepting the outcome, win or lose. (Applause.) It means you can’t love your country only when you win. (Applause.)”

While speaking in Tempe, Arizona to honor the legacy of his friend, the late Republican Senator John McCain, President Joe Biden challenged the audience to see things from a new perspective. In that speech, on September 28, 2023, Biden gave one of the most important (and yet largely ignored) speeches in recent history.

Biden wanted people to understand the terrible threat to American democracy brought on by the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. In his speech, he showed how other world leaders saw the threats. At the G7 Summit, shortly after his inauguration, Biden had told world leaders that “America is back.” Biden explained:

“I said, ‘America is back.’ And [French President] Macron looked at me, and he said, ‘Mr. President, for how long — for how long?’”

Biden continued with his conversation with Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany:

“And then, the Chancellor of Germany said, ‘Mr. President, what would you think if you picked up the paper tomorrow — tomorrow, the London Times — and it said a thousand people broke down the doors of Parliament, marched, and killed two bobbies in order to overthrow an election of the new prime minister? What would you think then? What would America think?’”

That analogy, that comparison, accomplished two purposes. First, Biden warned that the rest of the free world worries about the United States. Will we endure? Will we continue to lead the free world? Second, it helped us remove our blinders, to look at ourselves.

To help his audience understand that perspective, Biden reminded us that:

“We are the essential nation. We are the essential nation. The rest of the world is looking.”

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President Joe Biden Told the United Nations the World Has a Choice

Was Biden Divisive When He Defended Constitutional Government?

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How is it that Americans shrink in horror when other countries disintegrate into chaos, but wallow in apathy as our own country falls apart? To answer that question, we must change our perspective. As Biden said:

“And now, history has brought us to a new time of testing. Very few of us will ever be asked to endure what John McCain endured. But all of us are being asked right now: What will we do to maintain our democracy? Will we, as John wrote, never quit? Will we not hide from history, but make history? Will we put partisanship aside and put country first? I say we must and we will. We will.”

Six months after the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, most Republicans said that they just wanted to move on. Unfortunately, indeed, too many Americans still seem to have moved on from a brazen insurrection against our Constitution, happy to pretend that American politics still functions as usual. According to polls, only 36% of Republicans felt that the insurrection “was a crisis or major problem.” Stunningly, only 55% of Democrats felt that “democracy is under attack.” Only a new perspective can show us that we are living in delusion.

And yet, too many Americans obsess over brief spikes in fuel prices or the cost of bread, ignoring the key issue; that our system of governance is falling apart. When conservatives obsess about returning to 1776, they forget that the 1700’s were “the Age of Reason.” Can a reasonable speech like Biden’s, no matter how well executed, still affect public opinion? Or, as Benjamín Franklin is rumored to have said, when asked about the then-new Constitution: “a republic, if you can keep it.” 


Benjamin Franklin’s Speech about Our Fallible Constitution

by William D. Harpine

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Alternate transcript at this website

Image: White House YouTube channel

©  William D. Harpine, 2023

Dr. Rachel Levine Spoke about Diversity

Dr. Rachel Levine

I recently ran into a simple speech, which received scant attention when it was delivered. On October 19, 2021, Dr. Rachel Levine took the oath to become a four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Dr. Levine became the first openly transgender admiral to serve the United States of America.

In her brief speech, Dr. Levine made a point for diversity. Diversity is increasingly the nation’s flash point. The key political question that we all face in the United States is simple: should we insist that everyone be the same, or should we accept that everyone is not the same? I increasingly believe that simple question gives rise to our most pressing political questions.

Dr. Levine’s brief speech made a substantive point, that diversity gives us more knowledge, more capabilities, and more insight. She said:

“May this appointment today be the first of many more to come as we create a diverse and more inclusive future. Diversity makes us stronger. Each person has a different perspective and different strengths that they bring to make the whole community stronger. The time is now for our country to continue to move the bar forward for diversity. And I am proud to wear this uniform and answer that call.”

Pointless political divisions arise when people ask questions like “can you give a scientific definition of a woman?” or insist that everyone must fit rigidly into two and only two gender categories. These draw attention away from the real issue, which is whether we will, or will not, accept that people do not always need to be the same. Too many people think that everyone else needs to conform to someone else’s ideal.

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Epideictic or ceremonial speeches reflect our values. Dr. Levine continues to serve admirably in the public health arena, and her plea to “move the bar forward” should make us all reflect.

by William D. Harpine

© Copyright 2023, William D. Harpine

Image: US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps