Friday, December 25, 2009

A Calvin Coolidge Christmas Message


Calvin Coolidge, the focus of my obsession and subject of my honors thesis in government, was the last president with whom I fully agree, to paraphrase George Will at the Cato Institute. (On the subject of the thesis, I'll have more to announce on that point very shortly.)

In 1923, Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Unlike our current president and first lady, something tells me that Grace and Calvin didn't have a Mao ornament or one with Obama's face on Mount Rushmore.

Later, he wrote the following handwritten message to the American people on December 25th, 1927. It was reproduced far and wide on Christmas day in newspapers across the country.

"Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world."

Here's hoping you have the very best of Christmas seasons. I know I have been!


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

How have you already been selected for an honors thesis?

Did you really have to note the fact that it will be an honors thesis?

Charles Johnson said...

I do, if only to upset those trolls like you.

Anonymous said...

Students aren't "selected" for an honors thesis, you retárd.

Anonymous said...

I thought in the Government department, you must be selected by a panel of faculty?

Also, you're really trying to upset people?

How do you know it upsets me?

I'm just wondering why you would decide to make the distinction. Also, how do you know you have already been selected? I didn't know until the first month of senior year?

Charles Johnson said...

it's GPA based.

Anonymous said...

There are more people with qualifying GPAs than there are spots in the honors program. For this year's seniors, about a dozen applicants were denied. It's generally best not to claim that you're part of a program when the invitations to apply haven't yet been issued. After all, wouldn't want inaccurate reporting.
-A Gov/IR honors student

Charles Johnson said...

I would not worry about it. I have written about 100 pages and have a government GPA of 3.92. I think I am covered, but thanks for your concern.

Charles Johnson said...

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I did receive an invitation last semester. (I am nearly a full year ahead.) And I have secured two thesis readers who are interested in the topic.