Regarding the apprehensiveness that individuals have in parts of Europe of opening their mouths in support of Uncle Sam and to show their suspicion for the supposed humanism of members of the "peace camp" (and no wonder, with the snickering, the castigation, and the slander that they know will be forthcoming), let us remember that today is the birthday of Adlai Stevenson, the American Statesman (1900-1965) who said:
A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.
All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.
He added that
A hypocrite is the kind of politician who would cut down a redwood tree, then mount the stump and make a speech for conservation.
A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth.
After four years at the United Nations I sometimes yearn for the peace and tranquillity of a political convention.
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