Theodore Roosevelt Quotes
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.
Roosevelt, Theodore. "Sedition, a Free Press, and Personal Rule." The Kansas City Star, 7 May 1918.
At the time there was no Secrecy & Classification System nor any laws enforcing secrecy or confidentiality. However there was no freedom of information laws of expectations even on the part of journalists. This was the first Freedom of Information policy of the American government. Some politicians were more open than others but there was no national, governmental before this. There were however leakers and whistleblowers though the terms were not in use. Note that Roosevelt herein created the first whistle blower protection—himself.
Her immediate reference was to George W. Bush and his administration who had not been candid with the American people as to the reasons for the Iraq War
This was a pointed criticism of McCarthyism and his red scare and red-baiting behavior. Others were cowed by the risk that any criticism of McCarthy’s methods would bring an accusation that the critic was a Communist which all too often would mean loss of a job and social isolation. However as a Federal Judge, the lifetime tenure protection of his position could lead to impeachment which would be brought and tried by a Congress that was itself intimidated by McCarthy. He was one of the relatively few courageous Americans who risked exposing McCarthy who turned out to be an alcoholic bully and consummate liar.
Theodore Roosevelt Jr., often referred to as Teddy or his initials T. R., was an American statesman, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer, who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. He previously served as 33rd governor of New York from 1899 to 1900 and the 25th vice president of the United States from March to September 1901. Roosevelt emerged as a leader of the Republican Party and became a driving force for anti-trust and Progressive policies.
