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Discipline, Faith, and Washington’s Leadership

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Recently, I closed an article with this sentence:  “Leadership matters…let’s reflect on the importance of leadership, not only whether we like a person or a movement, but also how well we are led.”   I came across a couple of General George Washington's quotes that highlight the discipline and character he expected of individual soldiers as the War for Independence began. Let’s take a look: Washington’s Code: Discipline, Order, and Duty On July 4, 1775, Washington’s order was delivered to his troops: “The General ... requires ... observance of those articles of war ... which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness; And ... requires ... punctual attendance of Divine Services.” I found it notable that self-control and punctual attendance at a religious service recognizing a Higher Power were part of the troops’ code of conduct. But wait. There’s more: Several months later, General Washington ordered this:  "Any ... soldier who shall hereafter be …

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Fraternal Affection vs. Factional Fury

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What would it look like if America divided itself into two warring divisions with the promise of retribution if one or the other division won power? Let’s look at wisdom from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that is as relevant today as it was during their time. Guarding Against Partisan Jealousies Washington warned in his Farewell Address to the nation that if we divided into political parties, we could be tempted to misrepresent the opinions of those Americans who saw things differently or held opposing views: “…within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts…” Washington continued: “You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations: they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection.” In other words, Washington said we ought to shield ourselves from overly passionate partisans who inflame our emotions and …

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Recent Articles

Discipline, Faith, and Washington’s Leadership

Recently, I closed an article with this sentence:  “Leadership matters…let’s reflect on the importance of leadership, not only whether we like a person or a movement, but also how well we are led.”   I came across a couple of General George Washington’s quotes that highlight the discipline and character he expected of individual soldiers […]

Fraternal Affection vs. Factional Fury

What would it look like if America divided itself into two warring divisions with the promise of retribution if one or the other division won power? Let’s look at wisdom from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln that is as relevant today as it was during their time. Guarding Against Partisan Jealousies Washington warned in his […]

America’s Challenge: Preventing a Tribal Future

Do you think tribalism is America’s future? I always thought “tribal” meant “ethnic only.” People can divide over many types of differences: political, economic, or social differences are a few examples. I recently learned that countries in Africa became tribal. They were not necessarily inherently tribal. What about the former Czechoslovakia? At one point, they […]

Did the Declaration Exclude Women and Minorities? 

The Declaration of Independence uses the noun “Men” and not “Women.” Today’s cultural drift has encouraged us to take issue with the use of the word “Men” as it is not inclusive, they say. I would argue that, indeed, the word “Men,” as used in our founding documents, includes all humans today. Historical Meaning of […]

Presidents’ Day Reflections

As we celebrate Presidents’ Day, I think about some of our defining moments in history and leadership. What comes to mind is the American War for Independence, the Civil War, World War II, and today. Whatever defining moments we have in our American history, presidential leadership matters in each of them. I am reflecting on […]

Self-Evident Truth in the Declaration

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson’s original draft of the Declaration of Independence did not include the phrase “self-evident”? He originally wrote in the rough draft, “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable…” Benjamin Franklin changed the draft to read, “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” In Walter Isaacson’s “The Greatest Sentence […]

Why the First Amendment Isn’t Unlimited

Does the First Amendment allow you to say anything you want, where you want, and how you want to say it? That is the belief of many Americans who have not been taught basic elements of the First Amendment. Several of our participants here at Common Sense Civics and Citizenship believe this and say that […]

What “Nazi” Actually Means 

(The following description may be difficult for sensitive readers.) Do you think words matter, especially words that are associated with genocide? You have heard the word “Nazi” used often in the news. I think we need to review the correct use of that word. Let’s dive in. What the Term “Nazi” Really Refers To “Nazi” […]

Study Law, Not Promises, When Voting 

Voters should set aside emotion and judge candidates by their constitutional fidelity and past actions. Emotion vs. Scrutiny It is good practice to stand back from the emotion of issues and put them under scrutiny. It’s also good practice to avoid voting for promises. We vote based on a record of action and support for […]