we were talking while driving home today, and keegan asked why the president has such a big house and makes so much money.....and did he have a bunch of money already. this led to a discussion of how only rich people are ever elected to public office these days and why...and was Bush a "true leader" of the people, or the richest and most manipulative to get the office.

and, of course, this led me to asking my children who they thought of as true modern day LEADERS and heros. Heros was a bit easier (firemen, some policement, doctors, MIDWIVES since I am one and had to root for the underdog, etc) but they could not come up with ONE "famous" adult who was a true leader in their eyes...though they did say "well, you mom" but I think they were hoping I'd break the sugar fast for an answer like that.

Anyway, at dinner the conversation continued. Still no one. I came up with Jesse jackson, and after his calling for an investigation into the suspension of the Geneva Convention by the Bush administration, Colin Powell. My husband came up with Jimmy Carter and Senator Paul Simon (just an all round good guy, we view him).

Do your kids view anyone as TRUE LEADERS with kindness, integrity, putting money and personal interests aside to serve humankind? Do you? Thanks for sharing your opinions. If you could tell me why you or they thought of this, I will share your answers and why with my children, and with the children of two friends who also homeschool who I asked this question of as well.

Thanks for your time!

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), February 06, 2002

Answers

Jessie Jackson! Good Lord!

How about Marion Barry?

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), February 06, 2002.

What a great question, Marcee! After a great deal of thought I realized that Jesse Jackson Jr. is someone I would call a leader. Barbara Lee, Democratic Congresswoman from California comes to mind as well, since she was the sole voice against violence during the recent Resolution to Authorize Force. That took leadership conviction.

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), February 06, 2002.

Just food for thought...not everyone who leads has a noble purpose. After all Adolf Hitler was arguably as much a leader as Abraham Lincoln. Do you mean admirable people instead? I think you do. Its like comparing bestsellers to good writers. The lists aren't the same.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), February 06, 2002.

Jesse Jackson a true leader? I'm sorry, but, how clouded does your vision have to be? A grandstanding, shakedown artist a true leader. If anyone can't see that man for what he is, yes he must be a great leader.

-- Tom (tractorstuff@webtv.net), February 07, 2002.

On the celebrity circuit, I personally root for Martin Sheen (I think I have the right Sheen - there are a passel of them out there). His real life persona is much like his character as President Jed Bartlett on West Wing. He is very active for his causes, and even if I don't always agree with what he stands for, I sure do appreciate someone (especially a Hollywood someone) who actually has principles and will stand up for them publicly and vociferously. Ditto Paul Newman (ie: I have enough money - lets make some for someone who really needs it).

On the national leader side, definately Their Holinesses the Dalai Llama and the Pope. Both are two of the truest, realest, most sincere holy people I've ever had the pleasure to share the planet with. Too many "holy men" (and women) turn out to be the old fashioned "preach to the flock so they'll hold still for the fleecing" types. Or else they end up being Osama. But Their Holinesses mean every word they say, and truly wish for others to be well and happy. True, I also don't believe in everything they believe in, but I do know that they love humanity in general and each of them would give up his life in a heartbeat if they could bring peace to the rest of us by doing so.

On a more approachable level, I would say that Colin Powell is a good man. He has his faults, but hey, who doesn't. And author Neale Donald Walsch, for trying to get the word out as best he can, even while overwhelmed by the enormity and sheer strangeness of it all.

All of the Afghanistani women who kept up the schooling, at risk to not only their own lives, but to the lives of those around them. (Ditto to all those who kept and maintained the instruments and music during the rule of the Taliban) These people are not just heros, but truly leaders, for without them Afghanistan would be impossible to rebuild.

Dave Belanger and his posse (yo, dude!) for keeping the faith in the face of harsh criticism and strange looks.

The woman who was pictured in the famous napalm photograph, running down the road covered only in her burns, for her lesson that real forgiveness is an unbelievably fertile seed when nurtured, and true humanity is it's child.

And most of all, those unnamed multitudes that you hear about only occasionally who do good in the face of horror, who help out when it is dangerous to do so, who give when they have little, and hide their faces from the light of the voracious media because it was "..nothing, really. It was just the right thing to do." They have taught me that I would rather die through an act of misplaced kindness than live through deliberate cruelty or indifference.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

C'mon Chuck and Tom. Bashing someone else's choice is not the same as contributing to the discussion...o.k., if not Jesse, who?

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), February 07, 2002.

Larry Flynt.He is a true hero.With guts i might add.shirley

-- shirley keksoe (farout96@aol.com), February 07, 2002.

My kids really look up to Al Sharpton and Jeffrey Dahmer.

-- Larry (jhardin@moscowmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Don't forget Osama bin Lauden, no country. but leads tens of thousdands, if not millions.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), February 07, 2002.

My children feel the way my husband and I do. That a true leader is a man who will stick to Biblical principle in the face of serious pressure and opposition.

Those men are few and far between nowadays. But, Alan Keyes comes to mind.

-- LBD (lavenderbluedilly@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Colin Powell, even though he prefers remaining out of the spotlight.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

ANNE IS RIGHT! Hitler was a leader, though a hideous one. I meant a noble admirable leader.

Oh, I thought of another one: Nelson Mandella

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), February 07, 2002.

I was thinking somewhere on the leader and hero list someone should add the farmer. I know of few people who work 16 to 20 hour days for less than minimum wage. They fight pest, disease, drought ,equipment failure and government intervention in their business. They sell their products for miniscule profit just for the joy of having watched a seed grow and produce. Somewhere they should erect a Hall of Fame for Mothers and farmers or they have borne a nation on their backs !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky@webtv.net), February 07, 2002.

Here is a couple of names children should learn about.

A true leader is Senator Russ Fiengold of Wisconsin. The only elected official to vote NO on the current police action. Americans gave up the freedoms that our founding fathers died for. Russ said we should debate the laws BEFORE we pass them...... I don't like country music but Willie Nelson is a true leader. His efforts to help farmers created FARM AID concert series. He is also very active in the effort to end the so called "war on drugs"

-- ChrisN (chrisnass@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

A leader is someone who leads, not simply a good , hardworking person, but someone who inspires others to be better people, to move in a positive direction, to help the community. So, yes I would put Jesse Jackson in that category. He is an amazing speaker who captivates and inspires with his words. Jimmy Carter is not a rousing speaker, more the quiet, one-on-one kind of gentle soul who sees a need, and sees the big picture and works with it. So he's up there, too. Barbara Jordan had the kind of voice and presence and intellect that would just stun you with her depth and clarity. I'm sure there are others -- they just don't get airtime in this prostituted world.

-- snoozy (bunny@northsound.net), February 07, 2002.

We seemto be a little short on women, although I realize that not as many hold true leadership positions (gotta put that on my to do list). So how about it, gals? Who's your favorite female role model? If Princess Di and Mother Teresa weren't dead, they'd have my vote. in the current time, I'd say Mia Hamm and Oprah Winfrey. They both prove that any woman can march into a man's world and do what any man there does, with better grace and style. Plus the women's soccer team doesn't embarrass us by trashing foreign hotel rooms when they lose.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.

Looking for women? Well here are a few:

If the criteria is as above stated, "but someone who inspires others to be better people, to move in a positive direction, to help the community" then try:

Emily Dickinson Maya Angelou Ellen Goodman Molly Ivins Julia Child MFK Fisher Louise Dickinson Rich Margaret Mead Gloria Steinem Madeleine Albright Adrienne Rich

Oh, there are so many more. And yes, they each are flawed. What is most important is to emulate those that demonstrate the criteria you want to strengthen in your own life. We all have teachers or preachers or others who mean a lot but are not famous. Emulate them within your community.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), February 07, 2002.