Ten Political Quotes of 2012

(Sorted by Date of Quote)

 

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1. "Every once in a while you have to rise above principle and do the right thing (Source)." Lt. Governor Brian Calley on MIRS Quote of the Day on January 23, 2012 speaking about his support for autism insurance legislation in Michigan despite opposition from business groups.

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 2. "I hope you don't see much of it [me]. I don't want to be in the news. In other words I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service (Source)." George W. Bush on his service trip in Zambia in July, 2012.

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3. "When times are tough, constant conflict may be good politics but in the real world, cooperation works better (Source)." Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention on September 5, 2012.

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4. "Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours (Source)." Barack Obama after winning 4 more years as President on November 7, 2012

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5. "This is a time of great challenges for America, and I pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation (Source)." Mitt Romney after losing the Presidential Election on November 7, 2012.

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6. "Mr. President, this is your moment. We’re ready to be led, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans. We want you to lead — not as a liberal or a conservative, but as the president of the United States of America. We want you to succeed. Let’s challenge ourselves to find the common ground that has eluded us (Source)." House Speaker John Boehner after Barack Obama won reelection on November 7, 2012.

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7. "People spoke. Move on, get on with it. I want to do other things and not to be ugly (Source)." Barbara Bush remarking about Barack Obama's reelection as President on November 15, 2012.

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8. "We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics (Source)." Barack Obama after the Newtown, CT school shooting on December 14, 2012.

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9. "This is not us and them, us against the NRA or us against the entertainment industry. This is all of us. This is a question of how we all protect ourselves from wanton violence and most fundamentally how we protect our children (Source)." Sen. Joe Lieberman after the Newtown, CT school shooting on December 17, 2012.

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10. "The President is alert and, as always, in good spirits - and his exchanges with doctors and nurses now include singing (Source)." Jim McGrath, spokesperson for the George H.W. Bush family speaking about the condition of George H.W. Bush on December 28, 2012.

Nancy Reagan's 'Just Say No' Campaign

Nancy Reagan

Pol Light Moment #39 occurred in 1982 when Nancy Reagan (1921-2016) created and promoted a campaign to discourage children from using illegal drugs with the phrase Just Say No. It was part of the United States' War on Drugs. Nancy Reagan was the First Lady of the United States, serving from 1981-1989.

Wikipedia says, "The phrase, 'Just Say No' first emerged when Nancy Reagan was visiting Longfellow Elementary School in Oakland, California, in 1982 and was asked by a schoolgirl what to do if she was offered drugs. The first lady responded by saying, 'Just say no'.  Just Say No club organizations within schools and school-run anti-drug programs soon became common, in which young people make pacts not to experiment with drugs (Wikipedia: Just Say No)."

Nancy Reagan continued the Just Say No Campaign during the 1980's while her husband Ronald Reagan was President. Nancy Reagan said, "If you can save just one child, it's worth it (Source: YouTube Video)."

Here is Nancy Reagan describing the Just Say No Campaign in 1986.


Wikipedia has an article on the Just Say No Campaign.

Nancy Reagan has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Nancy Reagan posts search with the "Nancy Reagan" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Nancy Reagan is in the Public Domain.

Barack Obama Responds to Newtown, CT School Shooting

Barack Obama

Pol Light #38 is when Barack Obama responded to the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, December 14, 2012. He was moved to tears in his public statement on the tragedy.  Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States. He served as President of the United States from 2009-2017.

On December 14, 2012, Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and shot and killed 6 school officials (including the principal, school psychologist, and teachers) as well as 20 of the youngest age children. The list of victims is as follows:

Charlotte Bacon, F, 02/22/06
Daniel Barden, M, 09/25/05
Rachel Davino, F, 07/17/83
Olivia Engel, F, 07/18/06
Josephine Gay, F, 12/11/05
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, F, 04/04/06
Dylan Hockley, M, 03/08/06
Dawn Hocksprung, F, 06/28/65
Madeleine F. Hsu, F, 07/10/06
Catherine V. Hubbard, F, 06/08/06
Chase Kowalski, M, 10/31/05
Jesse Lewis, M, 06/30/05
James Mattioli, M, 03/22/06
Grace McDonnell, F, 11/04/05
Anne Marie Murphy, F, 07/25/60
Emilie Parker, F, 05/12/06
Jack Pinto, M, 05/06/06
Noah Pozner, M, 11/20/06
Caroline Previdi, F, 09/07/06
Jessica Rekos, F, 05/10/06
Avielle Richman, F, 10/17/06
Lauren Russeau, F, 06/82 (exact date left off list)
Mary Sherlach, F, 02/11/56
Victoria Soto, F, 11/04/85
Benjamin Wheeler, M, 09/12/06
Allison N. Wyatt, F, 07/03/06

The following is a video of the statement that Barack Obama made after the shooting. Obama also went to Newtown, Connecticut on Sunday, December 16, 2012 to attend an interfaith memorial service for the victims (Source).

At the end of his remarks to this tragedy in the above video, Barack Obama said:

We are going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this regardless of the politics. This evening Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we'll tell them that we love them, and we'll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight. And they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come that community needs us to be at our best as Americans and I will do everything in my power as President to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need -- to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories but also in ours. May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

For more information on the event you can see a new Wikipedia page dedicated to the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting. For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.  

The photo of Barack Obama is in the Public Domain as his official photo.

George H.W. Bush Encourages Volunteerism

Pol Light Moment #37 is when George H.W. Bush encouraged volunteerism at his innauguration on January 20, 1989, calling volunteers a "thousand points of light." Continuing this theme while in office, Bush has also made volunteerism a central focus of his post-presidency years.  George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989-1993. He also served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1981-1989.

The following is an excerpt from George H.W. Bush's Innaugural speech.

"I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding. We will work on this in the White House, in the Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in (Source)."

The Points of Light organization is a private, nonprofit organization that was formed to carry on the work Bush started of encouraging volunteer points of light, and it has become the world's leading nonprofit volunteer organization (Source). A tribute to George H.W. Bush role in the formation of the organization is found on the Points of Light website.

The Point of Light website says, "The Daily Point of Light Award was established by former President George H. W. Bush to engage individuals, families, businesses and groups to solve community problems through voluntary service. During his presidency, President Bush distributed 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards, placing volunteer service at the top of his agenda. President Bush continues to sign all of the awards today (Source)." A list of almost 5,000 past honorees of the Daily Point of Light Award through 2011 is available in an online booklet (Reference).

The following is a video tribute to George H.W. Bush and his Point of Light message.

 

George H. W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George H. W. Bush posts search with George H. W. Bush label at Pol Light. For more about the history behind the phrase "Thousand Points of Light" see the Wikipedia article on it.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of George H.W. Bush is in the Public Domain.

Lyndon Johnson Sings with Dog Yuki

LBJ Library Photo by Yoichi R. Okamoto

Pol Light Moment #36 occurred on February 6, 1968, when President Lyndon Baines Johnson sang with his dog Yuki for the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britian, David K.E. Bruce. Lyndon Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963-1969. He was the Vice President of the United States from 1961-1963 under President John F. Kennedy and also served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1949-1961.

Lyndon Baines Johnson is one of the biggest dog lovers of all the U.S. Presidents. Johnson was very proud of his dog Yuki's ability to sing before an audience. Ambassador Bruce certainly isn't the only person to ever be treated to a duet with Yuki and President Johnson, but the photograph above documents the point in time when he received the privilege on February 6, 1968.

The following is a recording where Lyndon Baines Johnson explains that dogs have always been his friends. At the end of the recording he shares how he came to receive the last dog he owned named Yuki after his daughter Luci found the dog abandoned and homeless.

Johnson received Yuki on Thanksgiving Day in 1966 and she was with the President to sing for Ambassador Bruce in 1968 and other honored guests through the years. Yuki also remained beside Johnson throughout his last 5 years after he left office. After Johnson died in 1973, Yuki went to live with Lyndon Johnson's daughter, Luci Johnson Nugent. Yuki died in 1979 (Source). For more information on Lyndon Baines Johnson singing with his beloved dog Yuki see the website at http://presidentialpetmuseum.com/Pets/Yuki.htm. 
Lyndon Johnson has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Lyndon Johnson posts search with Lyndon Johnson label at Pol Light.
Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo with this post is from the LBJ Library photo taken by Yoichi R. Okamoto.  The LBJ Library website indicates that their photos are in the public domain or can be used free with credit to the source, which in this case was Yoichi R. Okamoto (Source). 

Franklin Pierce Puts Up First White House Christmas Tree

Pol Light Moment #35 occured in December of 1856, when Franklin Pierce put up the first Christmas Tree in the White House.  Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853-1857. Pierce also was a United States Senator from New Hampshire from 1937-1942.

Franklin Pierce put up the Christmas tree for the enjoyment of a group of children from a Sunday School class in Washington (Hyms and Carols of Christmas, The White House Christmas Trees). Gifts from around the tree were passed out to the children and the song Hark, the Herald Angels Sing was sung.

Kevin Rawlings' book We Were Marching on Christmas Day indicates that the Sunday School class was from the historic New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. However at the time that Pierce attended services in the building it was known as the Second Presbyterian Church. The place of worship for the Second Presbyterian Church would later become the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church when it merged with another congregation (New York Avenue Presbyterian Church History).

For more information on Franklin Pierce putting up the first Christmas Tree in the White House read these articles.

• First Christmas Tree in the White House
• Franklin Pierce and the First White House Christmas Tree
• The White House Christmas Trees

There is also mention of this event in the online Special Collections Library of ipl2.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Franklin Pierce is in the Public Domain.

Cory Booker Living off Food Stamps for a Week

Cory Booker

Pol Light Moment #34 is when Cory Booker decided to live off food stamps for a week from December 4-11, 2012. Cory Booker has served as a United States Senator from New Jersey from 2013 to the present. Prior to that he was the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey from 2006-2013.

Cory Booker's food stamps challenge originates from a discussion he had on Twitter about government food assistance that all started from the reaction he got when he posted this quote on his Twitter account.

"An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics" Plutarch ancient Greek historian (c. 46 – 120 CE)
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 19, 2012

In the exchange with Booker, a Twitter user questioned whether someone could be too poor to afford breakfast (Source). That led to Booker inviting the Twitter user to join him in trying to live a week on food stamps, as he noted the high cost of living in New Jersey.  Cory Booker will live off the average food stamp weekly budget from December 4-11, 2012. During the week he will be limited to $1.40 per meal (Source- Associated Press). No free food is allowed to be accepted during the week as part of the rules of the challenge.

Cory Booker tweeted on Twitter that you can follow his experiences the week of December 4-11, 2012 on his various social media pages.

I will document the #SNAPChallenge experience on @waywire @linkedin @twitter and @facebook 12/4 – 12/11
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 21, 2012

The #SNAPChallenge hashtag on Twitter associated with this Pol Light moment is because Cory Booker is using his involvement in the challenge to to raise awareness for the realities of living on food stamps and the importance of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).  SNAP is having nationwide food stamp challenges to bring attention to what life can be like for those on the food assistance program. This is the goal of the SNAP Challenge:

The SNAP Challenge gives participants a view of what life can be like for millions of low-income Americans. Most participants take the Challenge for one week, living on the average daily food stamp benefit (about $4 per person per day). Challenge participants find they have to make difficult food shopping choices, and often realize how difficult it is to avoid hunger, afford nutritious foods, and stay healthy (Source).

For more information on the food stamps challenge read these articles on Cory Booker.

• Newark Mayor Cory Bookers Food Stamp Challenge
• Cory Booker Food Stamp Challenge Starts Tuesday
• Mayor Cory Booker Issues Food Stamp Challenge -- To Himself

Cory Booker has appeared on other moments on Pol Light. If you would like to see other posts by Cory Booker on Pol Light search with the label Cory Booker.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Cory Booker is from the Creative Commons of Wikipedia.

George W. Bush's White House Tee Ball Initiative

George W. Bush

Pol Light Moment #33 is when George W. Bush started the White House Tee Ball Initiative in 2001. George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009. After Bush became President in 2001, he had a baseball diamond built on the White House Lawn and it was used to host Tee Ball games at the White House.

Teams were chosen to play at the White House by the Little League Association of America.  Wikipedia describes the White House Tee Ball Initiative this way:

In 2001, U.S. President Bush initiated what he described as the White House Tee Ball Initiative. The purpose was to promote interest in childhood sports, including baseball and softball. According to the White House, the Tee Ball Initiative promoted "a spirit of teamwork and service for America's youth." (Source).

There is an archives of the Presidential website  the way it appeared in 2008 that shows some of the tee ball events. The following video recognizes some of the teams who played at the White House during the George W. Bush presidency.

You can see a photo of a young George W. Bush in his Little League uniform at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.   
George W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George W. Bush posts search with George W. Bush label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
The photo of George W. Bush is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia. It was taken by by Shawn Clark of Lazyeights Photography.

Barbara Bush' Post-Mortem on 2012 Election

Barbara Bush

Pol Light Moment #32 occurred on November 15, 2012, when Barbara Bush graciously encouraged people to move on, even if like her they didn't vote for President Barack Obama to have a second term. Barbara Bush served as First Lady from 1989-1993, when her husband George H.W. Bush was President of the United States. Prior to that she was the Second Lady of the United States from 1981-1989. She is also the mother of former President George W. Bush.

Barbara Bush, who had endorsed Barack Obama's opponent in the 2012 Presidential election, made her Pol Light post-mortem on the election while serving on a panel for the Enduring Legacies of America's First Ladies conference at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library. While at the conference Barbara Bush said, "People spoke. Move on, get on with it. I want to do other things and not to be ugly (Reuters, November 15, 2012)." Wise words from a former First Lady.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo of Barbara Bush is in the Public Domain.

Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving

Rosalyn Carter

Pol Light Moment #31 is when the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving was started in 1987.  Rosalyn Carter served as First Lady of the United States from 1977-1981, when her husband Jimmy Carter was President. Rosalyn Carter has been an advocate for people who are caregivers of others and the formation of the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving at her alma mater seemed like a very good fit.

According to Wikipedia's article on Rosalyn Carter,

Carter is president of the board of directors for the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) at Georgia Southwestern State University, her alma mater in Americus, Georgia. The RCI, which was established in 1987, aims to address issues related to caregiving in America and internationally. The institute focuses its work on both family and professional caregivers for individuals living with chronic illness and disabilities, limitations related to aging, and other health concerns across the lifespan. It plays a major role in moving science into practice for caregivers by supporting the implementation of evidence-based programs and interventions for caregivers in community settings (Source/Retrieved 11/22/2012).

Rosalyn Carter provides a message on the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving website. She said that over 66 million people are serving as caregivers from someone in need and that her motivation for this cause comes from her personal experience of having to be a caregiver at various stages of her life (Source).

Here is a video of some of the work of the Rosalyn Carter Institute for Caregiving's work.

Rosalyn Carter said this in an interview about caregiving, "What we’ve learned at the Rosalynn Carter Institute is if you don’t learn to care for yourself, then you’re not going to be able to be the best caregiver that you can be for the one who is ill. That was the book I wrote, Helping Yourself Help Others (Source)."

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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The photo of Rosalyn Carter is in the Public Domain.

Clifton Truman Daniel Visits Japan

Pol Light Moment #30 is when Clifton Truman Daniel visited the Hiroshima Memorial in Japan on August 4, 2012.  Clifton Truman Daniel is the Grandson of the 33rd U.S. President Harry Truman (1884-1972). Harry Truman ordered the nuclear bomb to be unleashed on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, a decision which killed 140,000 people. A subsequent bomb on Nagaski killed 70,000 people.

Clifton Truman Daniel's visit to Hiroshima and Nagaski was the first by a Truman family member. In his visit to Japan, Clifton Truman Daniel laid a wreath at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in memory of the 140,000 that perished there. Clifton Truman Daniel said as he laid the wreath, "I think this centaph says it all -- to honor the dead to not forget and to make sure that we never let this happen again (Source)."

In his quest for reconciliation through this trip, Daniel had the opportunity to visit with surviving relatives of some of the victims.  Masahiro Sasaki is a surviving brother of a 12 year old boy named Sadako who died of Leukemia after the bomb and left a legacy for how he handled his suffering. Sasaki said,

I hope we can bring a true reconciliation to atomic bombing survivors, many of them still caught in animosity toward the United States, as well as other survivors of war and their families, and help instill a strong sense of peace among young people (Source).

For more information on Clifton Daniel Truman's visit to Japan read the Huffington Post article.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Gaylord Nelson Founds Earth Day

Gaylord Nelson

Pol Light Moment #29 occurred on April 22, 1970, when Senator Gaylord Nelson founded the first Earth Day. Gaylord Nelson served as the 35th Governor of Wisconsin from 1959-1963.  He then served as a United States Senator for Wisconsin from 1963-1981.

Gaylord Nelson was influenced to start Earth Day by a huge oil spill in 1969 near Santa Barbara, California (See http://www.examiner.com/article/1969-santa-barbara-oil-spill-from-crisis-to-change).  Gaylord Nelson viewed Earth Day as a teach-in on the enviornment. He said this about his reason for starting Earth Day and his optimism for it's impact.

I am convinced that all we need to do to bring an overwhelming insistence of the new generation that we stem the tide of environmental disaster is to present the facts clearly and dramatically. To marshal such an effort, I am proposing a national teach-in on the crisis of the environment to be held next spring on every university campus across the Nation. The crisis is so imminent, in my opinion, that every university should set aside 1 day in the school year-the same day across the Nation-for the teach-in (Source-Congressional Record, Vol 115, No 164, October 8, 1969).

The first Earth Day in 1970 had over 20 million participants. It has continued on April 22 of each year for over 40 years. The observance is now an international effort that has over 500 million participants. For more information on Earth Day visit http://nelsonearthday.net/nelson/index.htm. You can also visit the Wikipedia page for Earth Day. Gaylord Nelson who was born in 1916 lived until 2005 and was able to see the continued growth of Earth Day through the years.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Gaylord Nelson is in the Public Domain and is on Wikipedia.

Eleanor Roosevelt Offers to Help Harry Truman

Pol Light Moment #28 occurred on April 12, 1945, when Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) offered to help President Harry Truman after she told him that her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, had died. Eleanor Roosevelt was First Lady of the United States from 1933-1945. She served longer than any other First Lady in the history of the United States. Harry Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945-1953.

Harry Truman was asked to come to the White House in the evening of April 12, 1945, after Franklin Roosevelt passed away.  Upon arriving at the White House, Truman was sent to Eleanor Roosevelt's study on the second floor of the White House to receive the news from President Roosevelt's widow.  

Eleanor Roosevelt put her arm across Harry Truman's shoulders and said, "Harry, the President is dead."

Harry then asked Mrs. Roosevelt, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Although she had just lost her husband, Eleanor Roosevelt replied back to Harry Truman, "Is there anything we can do for you? For you are the one in trouble now (New York Times On this Day Obituary)."

Harry Truman has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Harry Truman posts search with Harry Truman label at Pol Light. Also, Harry Truman's grand son was featured in the Pol Light post Clifton Truman Daniel Visits Japan.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Eleanor Roosevelt is in the Public Domain.

George Washington's Order Against Profanity

Pol Light Moment #27 was George Washington's General Orders On Profanity.  George Washington (1732-1799) was the First President of the United States, serving from 1789-1797. Prior to serving as President he was a military leader when the United States was struggling for it's freedom as a nation.

In 1775 Washington was elected Commander in Chief of the Continental Army for what is known as the Revolutionary War. Washington was concerned about the profane language used by the Continental Army and how that would impact the war efforts. On August 3, 1776, George Washington issued the following General Orders to his officers from his headquarters in New York.

The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.

(Signed,) George Washington (Source)

George Washington has been featured in other Pol Light moments and can be found by searching this blog with the George Washington Label.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of George Washington in this post is in the Public Domain and was obtained on Wikipedia.

Andy Harris Saves 2 Year Olds Life

Andy Harris

Pol Light Moment #26 is when Andy Harris saved the life of 2 year old Nathan Smith on August 26, 2012.   Andy Harris is a United States Congressman who has represented the 1st Congressional District of Maryland since 2011. Rep. Harris is also a physician and an anesthesiologist who works at Memorial Hospital in Easton, Maryland.

On August 26, 2012, Andy Harris took an alternative route because of storms and was driving on Route 50 in Talbot County, Maryland.  While driving on the highway, he saw vehicles pulled over along the side of the road but no damage to any vehicles. As he surveyed the scene he saw a 2 year old named Nathan Smith (the son of Brian and Jess Smith) lying on a blanket by the side of the road.  Harris then stopped to help.

Kevin Rector of the Baltimore Sun reported on the incident this way, "Harris said he knew the boy needed air, and turned him on his side and loosened his jaw to open his airway. At that point, the boy gasped, he said. An ambulance then arrived and took over the medical care of the boy (Baltimore Sun, 9/4/2012)."

Nathan Smith was discovered to have had a viral infection that caused him to have a seizure and stop breathing. Nathan made a full recovery after receiving medical treatment.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Congressman Harris was taken from Wikipedia and is in the Public Domain as an official portrait of a United States Government official.

Obama and Romney at 2012 Alfred Smith Dinner

Pol Light Moment #25 occurred on October 18, 2012, when the two men running for President of the United States shared the stage to support Catholic charities and disadvantaged children. President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney were joint keynote speakers at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Alfred E. Smith was a former Governor of New York, who was the first Catholic Presidential candidate (Source). The 2012 rendition of this longstanding dinner raised about $5 million for Catholic charities (Source).

You can listen to the humor and wit of the evening by hearing the address of both keynote speakers who took time out of their busy campaign to spend and evening for charity.

Barack Obama's Address

Mitt Romney's Address

More information about the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner can be found at http://www.alsmithfoundation.org/thedinner.html#about. For other posts on Mitt Romney search with the "Mitt Romney" label at Pol Light. For other posts on Barack Obama search with the "Barack Obama" label at Pol Light. 

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

John Kerry's Victory Over His Prostate Cancer

Pol Light Moment #24 is when John Kerry overcame his prostate cancer in 2003. John Kerry served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts from 1985-2013. He is currently the Secretary of State of the United States.

John Kerry learned he had prostate cancer in December, 2002, when his physicians discovered a localized tumor at its very early stages. He had surgery on February 12, 2003 (Source). His experience raised public awareness of prostate cancer.

Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliana said, "Senator Kerry is a good example to men to get an examination, get it early, keep getting it and then you'll pick it up at an early stage and you'll be able to do something about. That's the key to curing prostate cancer (Source)."

Here is a video of a speech where John Kerry speaks about his prostate cancer treatment at the Livestrong Summit in Austin, Texas on October 29, 2006. For more information see this article at mycanceradvisor.com.


Following his surgery in 2003, John Kerry resumed his duties as a United States Senator and also was a candidate for President of the United States in 2004. The way in which he bounced back from prostate cancer surgery and resumed a rigorous schedule offers hope to other healthy men who face the same condition.

Dr. Patrick C. Walsh, the Johns Hopkins University urologist who performed the operation on John Kerry declared the procedure a success and in 2004 noted that it was unlikely there would be any recurrence (Source).

For more information on John Kerry's prostate cancer read an article hosted by the Urological Sciences Research Foundation web repository at http://www.usrf.org/news/john_kerry.html.

John Kerry has been featured on other posts at Pol Light. To view them search with the label John Kerry.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of John Kerry is in the  Public Domain.

Jacqueline Kennedy Thanks Country for Sympathy Cards

Pol Light Moment #23 occurred on January 14, 1964, when Jacqueline Kennedy thanked the United States for the overwhelming number of sympathy cards she received after her husband John F. Kennedy was killed. Jacqueline Kennedy was the First Lady, while her husband John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States from 1961-1963.

On November 21, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. The country mourned the loss of a President and Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children John, Jr. and Caroline received their sympathy.

The following is a video from January 14, 1964, when Jacqueline Kennedy thanked the American people for their cards and thoughts. At the time this was recorded over 800,000 had been received, but eventually 2.5 million letters would be received.


People who sent cards to Jacqueline Kennedy received a small card back that said, "Mrs. Kennedy is deeply appreciative of your sympathy and grateful for your thoughfulness (Source)."

In 2010, Ellen Fitzpatrick published a book called Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation, where she shared 200 of the 2.5 million letters.  Here is a news story on the release of this book.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Jacqueline Kennedy has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view other posts search with the label Jacqueline Kennedy. For more information on Jacqueline Kennedy visit her page on the website of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Jacqueline Kennedy is in the Public Domain.

Roy Blunt Adopts Homeless Dog

Pol Light Moment #22 is when Roy Blunt adopted a homeless dog. Roy Blunt is a United States Senator representing the State of Missouri. He has served in office from January, 2011 to the present.

The Joplin Human Society reported that Roy Bunt said, "When Abby and I decided to get a new pet for our family, we knew we wanted to rescue a homeless shelter dog (Source)."

On January 21, 2011 Roy Blunt announced on his Facebook Page the following about his adoption, "Picked up our family's new rescue dog this morning. We adopted a male Silky Terrier Mix from Animal Adoption & Resource Center at the Joplin Humane Society (Source)."

The dog was named Max and was given as a gift to Roy Blunt's youngest son Charlie (Source).  A photo of Roy Blunt and his new dog is available as an image at stltoday.com or on Roy Blunt's Facebook timeline for January, 2011.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Roy Blunt is in the Public Domain.

Arnold Schwarzenneger Governs for No Salary

Pol Light Moment #21 is when Arnold Schwarzenneger served as the Governor of the State of California and did not accept a salary. Arnold Schwarzenneger was the 38th Governor of California, serving from 2003-2011.

The Governor of California is entitled to a $175,000 per year salary. Arnold Schwarzenneger declined this salary and instead had it donated to charities (Source).

Arnold Schwarzenneger, a Hollywood movie star, estimates that he lost $200 million dollars by serving as Governor of California for two terms. In addition to governing for no salary, he did not film any movies during that time. He also paid for his own air transportation between California's state capital in Sacramento and his home in Los Angeles (Source).

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of Arnold Schwarzenneger is in the Public Domain.

Theodore Roosevelt Inspires the Teddy Bear

Pol Light Moment #20 is when Theodore Roosevelt's Mississippi hunting trip in November, 1902 inspired the teddy bear. Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States, serving from 1901-1909.

On November 14, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt was on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi with several other people. To his disappointment Roosevelt had been unable to kill a bear for the first 3 days of the trip, so his aides, including the guide Holt Collier, captured a weak and old black bear and tied it to a tree for Roosevelt to easily kill. Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot the defenseless bear as part of the sport hunt, but because the bear was injured he directed that someone else shoot the bear and put it out of it's misery (Source).

The incident of Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear that was tied to a tree spawned the idea for a cartoon, which influenced the development of a toy known to this day as the teddy bear. The following is the cartoon of this moment that was done by Clifford Kennedy Berryman and was published in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902. Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and created a toy bear called "Teddy's Bear". The toy was so widely popular that it led Morris Michtom to start the Ideal Toy and Novelty Company in 1903 (Source).

This video explains the story of Theodore Roosevelt inspiring the Teddy Bear.




For more information on Theodore Roosevelt inspiring the Teddy Bear visit the Kids Corner at Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photos: The photo at the top of this post of Theodore Roosevelt is in the Public Domain. The cartoon of Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trip that inspired the Teddy Bear is also in the Public Domain.

George W. Bush's Quiet Service in Zambia

Pol Light Moment #19 is George W. Bush's service trip to Zambia in the first week of July 2012.  George W. Bush was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001-2009.

George W. Bush and his wife Laura visited Zambia in July, 2012 to help build a cervical cancer clinic. The refurbished clinic will be located in Kabwe, the second largest city in Zambia. The clinic will provide a place to screen, diagnose, and treat cervical cancer. George W. Bush has helped raise 85 million dollars for the cervical cancer initiatives through his George W. Bush Center (Source). While in Zambia, George W. Bush also dedicated a teaching hospital in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. He also visited an orphanage where most of the children were born with AIDS.

At a trip to the clinic in Zambia in July 2012, he said, "I hope you don't see much of it [me]. I don't want to be in the news. In other words I believe that quiet service is the best kind of service." 

“I do want to be able to say that on this particular trip, that myself and friends have left behind a clinic in hopes to inspire others to come and refurbish clinics as well and to encourage the Zambian government to make sure there are the healthcare works necessary to make sure the clinic doesn't sit there empty,” Bush said in a video at an event announcing the renovation of Ngungu Health Center. Read more on Newsmax.com: Bush and Wife Laura in Zambia Promoting Cancer Initiative.

George W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George W. Bush posts search with George W. Bush label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of George W. Bush is in the Public Domain. 

Charles Schumer Helps Reunite Marine with Dog

Charles Schumer

Pol Moment #18 culminated in March, 2012, when Charles Schumer helped reunite a retired marine with the dog she served with in Iraq. Charles Schumer has served in the United States Senate from 1998 to present, representing the state of New York.

Corporal Megan Leavy retired in 2007 and began a process to adopt the dog known as Sgt. Rex, that she had worked with on two tours of duty in Iraq.  The military denied Corporal Leavy's request and instead decided to keep Sgt. Rex in military service. Corporal Leavy continued to fight through redtape for five years to adopt Sgt. Rex, becoming very vocal over the years and enlisting the help of Senator Charles Schumer. Sgt. Rex's life depended on it, because after retirement the military considers old dogs as "excess", and they are sometimes euthanized.

Charles Schumer pressed the Air Force to help expedite an adoption of Sgt. Rex by Corporal Megan Leavy. An online petition was created by Charles Schumer's office that gained over 20,000 signatures. In 2012 Corporal Megan Leavy was finally reunited with Sgt. Rex, who is now 11 years of age. Here is a video of this story.




Charles Schumer said this in a press release on March 20, 2012 about the story.

We salute the Air Force and the Marines for doing the right thing and allowing Rex to be with Corporal Leavey. One canine, one human, both heroes. They should be united shortly and we’re glad it’s happening. I can think of no better ending to a story that inspired a nation than to see Sgt. Rex come home to his best friend. While millions of dog lovers across the country have a deep bond with their ‘best friend’, the bond forged between Corporal Leavey and Sgt. Rex is one that few of us will ever know. It’s only appropriate and right that the two of them enjoy their retirement from the service together. I again want to thank the Air Force and Marines for moving so quickly and I want to thank the thousands of New Yorkers and Americans who showed their support online (Source).

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.


Photo: The photo of Charles Schumer is in the Public Domain.

John Glenn Returns to Space at Age 77

John Glenn

Pol Light Moment #17 is when John Glenn returned to space at age 77 on October 29, 1998. John was born on July 18, 1921. John Glenn was a United States Senator at the time.  John Glenn represented the State of Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 1974 to 1999.

John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth. He circled the earth three times on February 20, 1962 aboard Friendship 7 on the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.  35 years later John Glenn convinced NASA to let him help them study the effects of aging on space travel and at age 77, he became the oldest man to again orbit the earth.  John Glenn was a crew member and the payload specialist in his return to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103) for a 9 day mission to orbit the earth from October 29, 1998 to November 7, 1998.

Here is a video of the launch where John Glenn returned to space on October 29, 1998.



The following chart from SpaceToday.org shows the comparison of the 1962 and 1998 flights John Glenn made orbiting the earth (Source).

John Glenn's Space Flights
1962	1998
Solo in capsule Friendship 7	With six others in shuttle Discovery
4 hours, 55 minutes	9 or 10 days
162 miles altitude	325 miles altitude
3 orbits 75,680 miles	144 orbits 3.6 million miles
360,000 pounds thrust Maximum 8 Gs	7 million pounds thrust Maximum 3 Gs

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of John Glenn in this post is in the Public Domain.

George H.W. Bush Celebrates 88th Birthday

Pol Light Moment #16 is when George H.W. Bush turned 88 years of age on June 12, 2012. George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989-1993. He also served as the Vice-President of the United States from 1981-1989.

George H.W. Bush suffers from Parkinson's Disease and is no longer able to walk unassisted. Here is the interview that George H.W. Bush had with his Granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager for the occasion of his 88th birthday on June 12, 2012.  In the interview the elder President reflects on his life and eventual death with wit and wisdom. There is a discussion about the bright socks he now dons in public and his joy in recently having a Great-Granddaughter. George H.W. Bush also reads one of his trademark letters to his family at the end that lead the former President to tears.

George H. W. Bush has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all George H. W. Bush posts search with George H. W. Bush label at Pol Light.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of George H.W. Bush is in the Public Domain.

John F. Kennedy Reads the Declaration of Independence

Pol Light Moment #15 occurred on July 4, 1957, when then Senator John F. Kennedy read the Declaration of Independence for a radio program to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961-1963.

John F. Kennedy was elected to the United States Senate in 1952. On July 4, 1957, Senator Kennedy read the Declaration of Independence on a program for the Radio Station WQXR to celebrate the United States Independence Day.  A complete transcript of the text of the Declaration of Independence, as it was written on July 4, 1776, is available at the Charters of Freedom Website.

Here is the YouTube video that features the recording of John F. Kennedy reading the Declaration of Independence in 1957.

The reading of the Declaration of Independence by John F. Kennedy was also featured by the New York Times to accompany their publication of the full version of the Declaration of Independence.

John F. Kennedy has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all John F. Kennedy posts search with John F. Kennedy label at Pol Light.

Quote Light: John F. Kennedy has a page on the Quote Light blog.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

Photo: The photo of John F. Kennedy is in the Public Domain.