Yesterday afternoon I was browsing videos on internet, in hope to understand the dismal economic situations, and bumped into this video clip from Bloomberg news. It'd be just a normal one out of the hundreds, had I not noticed (perhaps only my own imagination?) the unnecessary and unprofessional, tricky smile on Margaret Brennan's face, 4:00 into the video, when Ron Paul was first mentioned. Then Ron Paul's photo/video were pulled in. Suddenly for the first time I connected Ron Paul with the image of Don Quixote, and Margret, one of the hottest and popular female news anchors in NYC, with the Duke and Duchess in Cervantes' fictional work, the arrogant high class who exploited Don Quixote's delusion for their own entertainment and cared little about their own honor.
I then came to realize that I could not be the first person to see this connection for Ron Paul, so I googled. Right, I was far from being the first. Media referred to his being "Quixotic" often in a somewhat derogatory manner; while some of Ron Paul's supporters proudly claimed that's a badge of honor, and they made a video out of Ron Paul's pictures with "the impossible dream", the song from the movie "Man of La Mancha".
I absolutely love the term "quixotic" and proudly adore "quixotic" Ron Paul.
Don Quixote was delusional. But I doubt this mad man's story would have become one of the greatest literary fictions if the whole point is just that Quixote was delusional. It is more the message than the man. Honor, pursuit of dreams, protection of the weak, romance, justice, performing good deeds, persistence... Well, some Dukes and Duchess might not have interest in really learning what it is all about. So be it.
Ron Paul is not delusional. He is a brilliant human being who understands the real crisis this nation faces, and he sticks with his purely principled stance, albeit unpopular, being a sturdy flag for his followers.
Do I agree with him on everything? Still learning and debating myself, I cannot answer yet. But I definitely like his views on issues such as sound money, non-aggressive foreign policy, free trade, etc. But these aside, what I adore him most is his integrity and his being "quixotic".
He never minded casting the only one dissident vote in Congress. He does not pick where and when and to whom he applies his philosophies. He is utmost consistent. He has been devoting to what he believes in, active on the front line fending off arrows and bullets to get the messages across. BTW, he was a great medical doctor too having helped many in his community.
With such qualities, even if that person stands on the opposite side to myself, I will still respect him.
Before knowing of Ron Paul, I did not realize that I am actually a romantic heroic character too. What is life to us? A good education, then a decent salary, a spouse, a house, a couple of kids, and some vacations? Is that all? Might be, for some; might not be, for many others. I adore people who do "silly" things to pursue passions, to chase after dreams - "silly" in forsaking the tangible comfort and/or pleasure. Ron Paul is an excellent example.
I'd like to conclude with the lyrics of "the Impossible Dream". May we all be courageous, be true to ourselves, and living without regret - only so can we say it with a peaceful smile that "I lived" in the death bed.
It is the mission of each true knight...
His duty... nay, his privilege!
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go;
To right the unrightable wrong.
To love, pure and chaste, from afar,
To try, when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star!
This is my Quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far,
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!
And I know, if I'll only be true
To this glorious Quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this,
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach the unreachable stars!
I then came to realize that I could not be the first person to see this connection for Ron Paul, so I googled. Right, I was far from being the first. Media referred to his being "Quixotic" often in a somewhat derogatory manner; while some of Ron Paul's supporters proudly claimed that's a badge of honor, and they made a video out of Ron Paul's pictures with "the impossible dream", the song from the movie "Man of La Mancha".
I absolutely love the term "quixotic" and proudly adore "quixotic" Ron Paul.
Don Quixote was delusional. But I doubt this mad man's story would have become one of the greatest literary fictions if the whole point is just that Quixote was delusional. It is more the message than the man. Honor, pursuit of dreams, protection of the weak, romance, justice, performing good deeds, persistence... Well, some Dukes and Duchess might not have interest in really learning what it is all about. So be it.
Ron Paul is not delusional. He is a brilliant human being who understands the real crisis this nation faces, and he sticks with his purely principled stance, albeit unpopular, being a sturdy flag for his followers.
Do I agree with him on everything? Still learning and debating myself, I cannot answer yet. But I definitely like his views on issues such as sound money, non-aggressive foreign policy, free trade, etc. But these aside, what I adore him most is his integrity and his being "quixotic".
He never minded casting the only one dissident vote in Congress. He does not pick where and when and to whom he applies his philosophies. He is utmost consistent. He has been devoting to what he believes in, active on the front line fending off arrows and bullets to get the messages across. BTW, he was a great medical doctor too having helped many in his community.
With such qualities, even if that person stands on the opposite side to myself, I will still respect him.
Before knowing of Ron Paul, I did not realize that I am actually a romantic heroic character too. What is life to us? A good education, then a decent salary, a spouse, a house, a couple of kids, and some vacations? Is that all? Might be, for some; might not be, for many others. I adore people who do "silly" things to pursue passions, to chase after dreams - "silly" in forsaking the tangible comfort and/or pleasure. Ron Paul is an excellent example.
I'd like to conclude with the lyrics of "the Impossible Dream". May we all be courageous, be true to ourselves, and living without regret - only so can we say it with a peaceful smile that "I lived" in the death bed.
It is the mission of each true knight...
His duty... nay, his privilege!
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go;
To right the unrightable wrong.
To love, pure and chaste, from afar,
To try, when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star!
This is my Quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far,
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!
And I know, if I'll only be true
To this glorious Quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this,
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach the unreachable stars!
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