People of their word

"Life can be a challenge, life can seem impossible, but it's never easy when there's so much on the line."

This apparently comes from a Pokemon movie The Power of One.  It also apparently is Herman Cain's favorite quote.  He used it when he bowed out of the presidential race, giving credit to Pokemon during the speech.  Apparently he has used this quote multiple times before, but this was the first time he gave credit to Pokemon.  Sigh.

Let's agree that the quote is a good one.  But usually, when trying to inspire people, quotes need to have a legit context for it to be legitimately inspiring.  For example:

Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.   Who would have said this?  My Little Pony?  No.  The late Barbara Jordon of Texas.  A civil rights leader, she has so many firsts, among them, the first African American elected to the Texas Senate.  These kinds of messages from Barbara Jordon, a Democrat, carried a punch. When she spoke, we listened and learned something about ourselves. 

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.  Former Republican Senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson said this.  Although I did not always agree with his politics, he was someone, is someone, people admire for his integrity, including me.  Mr. Simpson most recently called out Grover Nordquist for his phony tax pledge.

These are people of their word.  Living and speaking their values.  Leaders and role models worth holding up to your children and grandchildren.  We need more people like them.  Not like Herman Cain.