Some sage advice for candidates
Recently having moderated a candidate forum for the Chamber of Commerce Simi Valley, I am reminded of what sheer gutsiness it takes to be a candidate. The extraordinary effort and willingness “suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” merit the greatest praise. To any candidate, whether you win or lose, the best advice I can give is to quote the words of a former president:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” (Theodore Roosevelt, Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910)
Dr. Herbert Gooch, Newbury Park
Treasuring Woodburn’s columns
Woody Woodburn is a real treasure. I look forward to his columns in your Friday editions.
In these days when most news articles are about our broken political system and ethically challenged government officials and politicians, Woodburn provides much-needed relief.
His May 29 column about the birth of his daughter was a joy to read. He knows how to poignantly describe those things that are truly important in life.
Thank you Woody.
Mike Teobaldi Jr., Westlake Village
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Advice for candidates, kudos to columnist Woodburn | Letters
Reporting by Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
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