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It Takes a Carpenter to Build a Barn
Nicholas Johnson
The Gazette, Insight, Community Letters, April 27, 2025, p.10C
At least two presidents (Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson) and one Speaker (Sam Rayburn) have used the line, “It takes a carpenter to build a barn, but any (fill in the blank) can kick it down.”

Our TV screens nightly portray the literal truth of that observation, rising from the smoking rubble in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel among others.

It can take years to build their buildings, homes, hospitals and schools, but only seconds to destroy them.

And so it is with America. It’s taken roughly 80 years to build the compassionate good neighbor and world leader America became during, and following, World War II.

Yes, 80 years to build it, but only 80 days for any (fill in the blank) to kick it down.

Nicholas Johnson
Iowa City
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