Profiles in Courage

John F. Kennedy wrote a book called Profiles in Courage which highlighted the careers of eight senators whom Kennedy felt had shown great courage under enormous pressure from their parties and their constituents. He described three types of pressure faced by elected officials: the pressure to be liked, the pressure to be re-elected, and the pressures of the constituency. He admired these men who did not succumb to these pressures.

Image result for pic of elijah cummings
Rep. Elijah Cummings
If he were writing his book today, I'm sure Robert Mueller would be among his courageous leaders. With grit and integrity, he undertook the special counsel investigation of  U.S. collusion with Russia regarding the 2016 presidential election. After two years, in a 400-page document,  Mueller and his team concluded there was definite evidence of collusion.
   . .
Elijah Cummings, a representative from Baltimore, would probably also be included. He is one of the most respected members of Congress and is fearless in his loyalty to the people of Baltimore. When the president called Baltimore "a rat and rodent infested hole," Cummings called for an end to "hateful rhetoric" among the nation's leaders.

I think he would also include Aung San Suu Kyi who fought against the oppressive military dictatorship in Burma. She became the leader of a populist revolt and was elected prime minister in 1990 in the first multi-party elections. However, the military government refused to accept the results and placed her under house arrest. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and countless other awards for her tenacious courage in the face of cruel opposition.

There are certainly more courageous people in the world today that deserve recognition, yet people of principle seem harder to find in the midst of the chaos and turmoil around us. The pressures of allegiance to one's political party, wealth, and power seem to take precedence over moral integrity and dedication to truth. We need more people of courage in our world today.





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