Posted on 12/19/2013 4:10:59 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Ted Cruz stood on the floor of the Senate and answered his critics: “….do you expect me to remain here silent, or to shrink from the discharge of my duty?… I will speak in spite of all the intimidations, or threats, or discountenances that may be thrown upon me.”
Actually, Ted Cruz did not say that. But the fact that it is so easily believable that he did say it says exactly why Ted Cruz, Time magazine’s selection of the Pope notwithstanding, is the real “Man of the Year.” In fact, while Cruz did make Time’s shortlist, he also popped up in a Rasmussen poll just behind the Pope and President Obama as 2013’s “most influential person.”
The man who said the words above was another celebrated Senator from Texas.
That would be Sam Houston, one of the fathers of Texas independence and the first United States Senator from Texas, as he rose on the Senate floor in 1854 to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Kansas-Nebraska, an overwhelming favorite with Houston’s fellow Democrats, repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and reopened the issue of extending slavery that had presumably been settled by the Compromise of 1850. Houston, correctly as it later turned out, saw the bill as fueling the fires of civil war.
His fellow Senate Democrats were infuriated with Houston. Already viewed with suspicion for what was termed his “eccentric dress and his habit of whittling pine sticks on the Senate floor while muttering at the length of senatorial speeches,” Houston was now assailed as a “traitor.”
Today, the term of art is not “traitor” — it’s “wackobird.”.....
....Nothing describes Ted Cruz better than that description of Sam Houston by John F. Kennedy....
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
Bump!
Is Ted the real deal or will he end up being like so many who talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.
We have been screwed so many times by people who say they are conservative but end up just playing the game.
I pray Ted is the one.
Sam Houston channeling Martin Luther.
Jeffrey Lord, like Peggy Noonan, is long winded but this Lord piece is WELL worth the time.
It is a pleasure to read and savor.
Bttt
An outstanding article on Ted Cruz.
Here is one of many gem quotes:
“Cruz is of the belief that his presence in the Senate gives him the responsibility to represent Texans in Washington, not Washington to Texas.”
I liked that one too.
Interesting that something that should be so obvious is striking to the reader.
Jeffrey Lord is my favorite writer at AS. He is thorough in his research and lays out most articles with a great amount of facts and wit. I enjoy his humor and he brings a lot of historical info along with his articles, which really helps to tie current events to their historical precedent. I appreciate that a lot, personally! Excellent article by Jeffrey, and a good reminder of Ted Cruz and the battles he’s waged for Texas and ALL of us! Go, Ted!
When Cruz apologizes for having the shortsight of history to have run off to that Mandela circus-funeral I’ll be all ears.
bttt
Sen Cruz had 30 hours with the Congressional Black Caucus -- they couldn't get away from him and actually found him likable. That's points in Cruz's column.
Ted Cruz also had the immense pleasure of walking out on Raul Castro's talk (Obama shook Raul's hand). More points for Sen. Cruz.
And that’s why he went? So he could walk out on Raul Castro?
Why bother?
I want to hear an explanation from him as to what he thought he was doing. He though, doesn’t seem to feel any explanation is warranted. That may be ok for some, but not for me.
Every politician will eventually disappoint.
Go for it since you believe his attendance was an affront to you.
Ted Cruz Ping!
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I believe I have the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. Most resoundingly!
Fellow FReeper.
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