sex and politics where’s the booze I mean somehow this program has to have
mean somehow this program has to have
mean somehow this program has to have something in it about sex booze and
something in it about sex booze and
something in it about sex booze and politics well I’m a recovering
politics well I’m a recovering
politics well I’m a recovering politician I want you to uh I’m in about
politician I want you to uh I’m in about
politician I want you to uh I’m in about the 50th step out of 100 and I’m working
the 50th step out of 100 and I’m working
the 50th step out of 100 and I’m working on it David David day and I want to tell
on it David David day and I want to tell
on it David David day and I want to tell you what when you happens to you when
you what when you happens to you when
you what when you happens to you when you are a politician and you run for
you are a politician and you run for
you are a politician and you run for governor and you don’t win it’s bad I
governor and you don’t win it’s bad I
governor and you don’t win it’s bad I went home I went home and my dog
went home I went home and my dog
went home I went home and my dog wouldn’t even lick me but but let me
wouldn’t even lick me but but let me
wouldn’t even lick me but but let me tell you the worst thing about it about
tell you the worst thing about it about
tell you the worst thing about it about a month after I’d lost the governorship
a month after I’d lost the governorship
a month after I’d lost the governorship I was headed to my hometown of Boone and
I was headed to my hometown of Boone and
I was headed to my hometown of Boone and I stopped at this little country store
I stopped at this little country store
I stopped at this little country store and this woman in there behind the
and this woman in there behind the
and this woman in there behind the counter looked at me funny like and she
counter looked at me funny like and she
counter looked at me funny like and she said are you who I think you are that’s
said are you who I think you are that’s
said are you who I think you are that’s dangerous I I said well who do you think
dangerous I I said well who do you think
dangerous I I said well who do you think I am and she says ain’t you Rufus I said
I am and she says ain’t you Rufus I said
I am and she says ain’t you Rufus I said yeah she said hell I thought you were
yeah she said hell I thought you were
yeah she said hell I thought you were dead
I’m glad to be invited to go anywhere
I’m glad to be invited to go anywhere because all my friends especially my
because all my friends especially my
because all my friends especially my redneck friends so what are you doing
redneck friends so what are you doing
redneck friends so what are you doing down there that bunch of people at
down there that bunch of people at
down there that bunch of people at something called TEDx you need to be out
something called TEDx you need to be out
something called TEDx you need to be out gardening and working on the farm but I
gardening and working on the farm but I
gardening and working on the farm but I am very delighted to be here and I want
am very delighted to be here and I want
am very delighted to be here and I want to tell you a few things that happen
to tell you a few things that happen
to tell you a few things that happen along the way with somebody that’s been
along the way with somebody that’s been
along the way with somebody that’s been full-throttle
full-throttle
full-throttle all of his life let me tell you about
all of his life let me tell you about
all of his life let me tell you about something that happened 44 years ago
something that happened 44 years ago
something that happened 44 years ago 1972 on a hot humid day in Washington DC
1972 on a hot humid day in Washington DC
1972 on a hot humid day in Washington DC I made a short trip in the back of a
I made a short trip in the back of a
I made a short trip in the back of a police car headed down to the White
police car headed down to the White
police car headed down to the White House and as Sarah said I was headed on
House and as Sarah said I was headed on
House and as Sarah said I was headed on a mission to do something that nobody
a mission to do something that nobody
a mission to do something that nobody had ever done before to deliver a
had ever done before to deliver a
had ever done before to deliver a subpoena on a sitting president named
subpoena on a sitting president named
subpoena on a sitting president named Richard Nixon who had broken every law
Richard Nixon who had broken every law
Richard Nixon who had broken every law that you can think of on the
that you can think of on the
that you can think of on the books and believe you me we see a lot of
books and believe you me we see a lot of
books and believe you me we see a lot of similarities today and not I know I’m
similarities today and not I know I’m
similarities today and not I know I’m not getting into politics but that no
not getting into politics but that no
not getting into politics but that no way but that was a memorable trip for me
way but that was a memorable trip for me
way but that was a memorable trip for me it was a defining point in my life
it was a defining point in my life
it was a defining point in my life because here is a 31 year old boy that
because here is a 31 year old boy that
because here is a 31 year old boy that grew up on the farm in Boone North
grew up on the farm in Boone North
grew up on the farm in Boone North Carolina delivering a subpoena on a
Carolina delivering a subpoena on a
Carolina delivering a subpoena on a president and a subpoena is a heavy duty
president and a subpoena is a heavy duty
president and a subpoena is a heavy duty piece of paper it commands you to turn
piece of paper it commands you to turn
piece of paper it commands you to turn over all the books and records so these
over all the books and records so these
over all the books and records so these were for the tapes and as you recall and
were for the tapes and as you recall and
were for the tapes and as you recall and if you weren’t around and most of you
if you weren’t around and most of you
if you weren’t around and most of you weren’t and you studied your history
weren’t and you studied your history
weren’t and you studied your history though I know that you know that that
though I know that you know that that
though I know that you know that that was a defining moment because the
was a defining moment because the
was a defining moment because the Supreme Court ruled not not even a
Supreme Court ruled not not even a
Supreme Court ruled not not even a president is above the law so I count
president is above the law so I count
president is above the law so I count that it’s a very significant day and I
that it’s a very significant day and I
that it’s a very significant day and I don’t brag about it by sure to get a
don’t brag about it by sure to get a
don’t brag about it by sure to get a pleasure out of it and I came back to
pleasure out of it and I came back to
pleasure out of it and I came back to Capitol Hill and here we were at a time
Capitol Hill and here we were at a time
Capitol Hill and here we were at a time that the nation was in a real quandary
that the nation was in a real quandary
that the nation was in a real quandary about where we headed what are we doing
about where we headed what are we doing
about where we headed what are we doing now I want to flash back though after
now I want to flash back though after
now I want to flash back though after that was over and I came back and
that was over and I came back and
that was over and I came back and thought about my childhood I thought
thought about my childhood I thought
thought about my childhood I thought about the things that have meant the
about the things that have meant the
about the things that have meant the most to me all my life and there were
most to me all my life and there were
most to me all my life and there were some principles and I tried to commit
some principles and I tried to commit
some principles and I tried to commit those to myself on a daily basis because
those to myself on a daily basis because
those to myself on a daily basis because believe you me my life has been a fall
believe you me my life has been a fall
believe you me my life has been a fall and rise many times many times over and
and rise many times many times over and
and rise many times many times over and I’ve thought about those principles and
I’ve thought about those principles and
I’ve thought about those principles and there are those foundations that we
there are those foundations that we
there are those foundations that we talked about and number one is pick your
talked about and number one is pick your
talked about and number one is pick your friends don’t let your friends pick you
friends don’t let your friends pick you
friends don’t let your friends pick you and the friends you pick will always
and the friends you pick will always
and the friends you pick will always come to you when you’re into the problem
come to you when you’re into the problem
come to you when you’re into the problem not the other way around
not the other way around
not the other way around they’ll beat you to the problem and I’ve
they’ll beat you to the problem and I’ve
they’ll beat you to the problem and I’ve been so extremely lucky all my life to
been so extremely lucky all my life to
been so extremely lucky all my life to have picked the right friends you’ve
have picked the right friends you’ve
have picked the right friends you’ve heard the old adage if you can count
heard the old adage if you can count
heard the old adage if you can count friends real friends on more than your
friends real friends on more than your
friends real friends on more than your your hands you don’t really
your hands you don’t really
your hands you don’t really have that kind of friends and then the
have that kind of friends and then the
have that kind of friends and then the recurring theme here today it’s been the
recurring theme here today it’s been the
recurring theme here today it’s been the one that I love the most
one that I love the most
one that I love the most Cindy got into it empathy now by empathy
Cindy got into it empathy now by empathy
Cindy got into it empathy now by empathy I do not mean that you feel good about
I do not mean that you feel good about
I do not mean that you feel good about sending ten dollars to the poor little
sending ten dollars to the poor little
sending ten dollars to the poor little orphans over in Bangladesh although you
orphans over in Bangladesh although you
orphans over in Bangladesh although you should empathy is when you really really
should empathy is when you really really
should empathy is when you really really can say I I put myself in somebody
can say I I put myself in somebody
can say I I put myself in somebody else’s shoes and even in today’s
else’s shoes and even in today’s
else’s shoes and even in today’s terrible discourse of political life you
terrible discourse of political life you
terrible discourse of political life you could actually say you know there might
could actually say you know there might
could actually say you know there might be something to what they’re saying hard
be something to what they’re saying hard
be something to what they’re saying hard to do I promise you I have to pinch
to do I promise you I have to pinch
to do I promise you I have to pinch myself sometimes and say Rufus
myself sometimes and say Rufus
myself sometimes and say Rufus understand that they’re trying to say
understand that they’re trying to say
understand that they’re trying to say something and they may be wrong you may
something and they may be wrong you may
something and they may be wrong you may think they’re stupid but listen to them
think they’re stupid but listen to them
think they’re stupid but listen to them because when you’re talking you are not
because when you’re talking you are not
because when you’re talking you are not learning anything so empathy has played
learning anything so empathy has played
learning anything so empathy has played a great role in my life of my downs and
a great role in my life of my downs and
a great role in my life of my downs and my ups and then the second so that the
my ups and then the second so that the
my ups and then the second so that the third fundamental is always live by
third fundamental is always live by
third fundamental is always live by don’t forget to thank the people who
don’t forget to thank the people who
don’t forget to thank the people who helped you get where you are and right
helped you get where you are and right
helped you get where you are and right now in this room today I promise you
now in this room today I promise you
now in this room today I promise you they’re people that are gonna say I
they’re people that are gonna say I
they’re people that are gonna say I really should listen to him cuz you know
really should listen to him cuz you know
really should listen to him cuz you know right now that there are people along
right now that there are people along
right now that there are people along the way that you haven’t thanked
the way that you haven’t thanked
the way that you haven’t thanked recently for helping you get where you
recently for helping you get where you
recently for helping you get where you are the man who was head of the
are the man who was head of the
are the man who was head of the Watergate give me the name senator Sam
Watergate give me the name senator Sam
Watergate give me the name senator Sam Ervin taught me this this wonderful
Ervin taught me this this wonderful
Ervin taught me this this wonderful wonderful piece of life he said Rufus I
wonderful piece of life he said Rufus I
wonderful piece of life he said Rufus I don’t have time for my old friends and
don’t have time for my old friends and
don’t have time for my old friends and I’m not gonna rush out and meet new
I’m not gonna rush out and meet new
I’m not gonna rush out and meet new friends since if I can take care of my
friends since if I can take care of my
friends since if I can take care of my old friends so thank the people who’ve
old friends so thank the people who’ve
old friends so thank the people who’ve helped you do what you need to do in
helped you do what you need to do in
helped you do what you need to do in life and then the fourth principle is
life and then the fourth principle is
life and then the fourth principle is watch out for that terrible thing called
watch out for that terrible thing called
watch out for that terrible thing called hubris now we all have egos you have to
hubris now we all have egos you have to
hubris now we all have egos you have to have a little ego to have done something
have a little ego to have done something
have a little ego to have done something significant in life but hubris gets
significant in life but hubris gets
significant in life but hubris gets worse you know it’s the Greek word that
worse you know it’s the Greek word that
worse you know it’s the Greek word that says you’re beyond yourself you think
says you’re beyond yourself you think
says you’re beyond yourself you think that you are so absolutely wonderful
that you are so absolutely wonderful
that you are so absolutely wonderful that you you you are full of pride an
that you you you are full of pride an
that you you you are full of pride an old boy in the country one time two
old boy in the country one time two
old boy in the country one time two strategies
strategies
strategies it’s like he said I don’t know what that
it’s like he said I don’t know what that
it’s like he said I don’t know what that word means but I can’t say what what it
word means but I can’t say what what it
word means but I can’t say what what it really means he said it’s like a guy
really means he said it’s like a guy
really means he said it’s like a guy that gets the drink he goes to the bar
that gets the drink he goes to the bar
that gets the drink he goes to the bar he says drinks on the house and
he says drinks on the house and
he says drinks on the house and everybody can’t even pay his rent in the
everybody can’t even pay his rent in the
everybody can’t even pay his rent in the second stage of whatever that word you
second stage of whatever that word you
second stage of whatever that word you said it was ruthless is that he thinks
said it was ruthless is that he thinks
said it was ruthless is that he thinks that he’s the most beautiful guy in the
that he’s the most beautiful guy in the
that he’s the most beautiful guy in the world
world
world he stands around preening looking in the
he stands around preening looking in the
he stands around preening looking in the mirror saying ain’t that great
mirror saying ain’t that great
mirror saying ain’t that great I’m Purdy he said though the most
I’m Purdy he said though the most
I’m Purdy he said though the most dangerous and the most incredibly
dangerous and the most incredibly
dangerous and the most incredibly killing one you think you’re invisible
killing one you think you’re invisible
killing one you think you’re invisible and how many times do we see people not
and how many times do we see people not
and how many times do we see people not only in politics in church life in
only in politics in church life in
only in politics in church life in business life hubris takes them over and
business life hubris takes them over and
business life hubris takes them over and then the other enduring principle that I
then the other enduring principle that I
then the other enduring principle that I want to talk a little bit about today in
want to talk a little bit about today in
want to talk a little bit about today in this short amount of time for a
this short amount of time for a
this short amount of time for a recovering politician is spirituality
recovering politician is spirituality
recovering politician is spirituality I’m not talking about any particular
I’m not talking about any particular
I’m not talking about any particular brand of religion yours might be
brand of religion yours might be
brand of religion yours might be something mine’s a lot of working in the
something mine’s a lot of working in the
something mine’s a lot of working in the garden taking walks in the garden you
garden taking walks in the garden you
garden taking walks in the garden you need some sort of spirituality now let’s
need some sort of spirituality now let’s
need some sort of spirituality now let’s go back a little bit I was born on a
go back a little bit I was born on a
go back a little bit I was born on a farm and boom there were four brothers
farm and boom there were four brothers
farm and boom there were four brothers one sister my father was a wildlife
one sister my father was a wildlife
one sister my father was a wildlife protector and most of this stuff I got
protector and most of this stuff I got
protector and most of this stuff I got on my myself through osmosis for my
on my myself through osmosis for my
on my myself through osmosis for my mother and father but some of it you
mother and father but some of it you
mother and father but some of it you have to sort of work at every every
have to sort of work at every every
have to sort of work at every every single day I’ll get all the high school
single day I’ll get all the high school
single day I’ll get all the high school things you can do you know I was even
things you can do you know I was even
things you can do you know I was even class president student body president
class president student body president
class president student body president and believe it or not you’re you’re not
and believe it or not you’re you’re not
and believe it or not you’re you’re not gonna believe this
gonna believe this
gonna believe this I was a state champion wrestler away
I was a state champion wrestler away
I was a state champion wrestler away from 154 and my little niece Lucy said
from 154 and my little niece Lucy said
from 154 and my little niece Lucy said by gosh uncle ruthless have you gained
by gosh uncle ruthless have you gained
by gosh uncle ruthless have you gained some weight
some weight
some weight well that is true though go back and
well that is true though go back and
well that is true though go back and check it so I’m I was I was set on being
check it so I’m I was I was set on being
check it so I’m I was I was set on being a veterinarian I wanted to work with
a veterinarian I wanted to work with
a veterinarian I wanted to work with animals because I’ve grown up on the
animals because I’ve grown up on the
animals because I’ve grown up on the farm loving to work with all kinds of
farm loving to work with all kinds of
farm loving to work with all kinds of living creatures like the ones we have
living creatures like the ones we have
living creatures like the ones we have on here
on here
on here and faith though came into play faith is
and faith though came into play faith is
and faith though came into play faith is so much a part of your life each of you
so much a part of your life each of you
so much a part of your life each of you got here today and fate didn’t take you
got here today and fate didn’t take you
got here today and fate didn’t take you into some horrible accident
into some horrible accident
into some horrible accident think of that most of you met the people
think of that most of you met the people
think of that most of you met the people that you met you marry you want to marry
that you met you marry you want to marry
that you met you marry you want to marry through fate so my whole idea is how do
through fate so my whole idea is how do
through fate so my whole idea is how do you handle fate
you handle fate
you handle fate what are your principles and having
what are your principles and having
what are your principles and having faith that those are the ones I’ve used
faith that those are the ones I’ve used
faith that those are the ones I’ve used I went to down to I got a letter in the
I went to down to I got a letter in the
I went to down to I got a letter in the mail one time to go down and try out for
mail one time to go down and try out for
mail one time to go down and try out for the Morehead scholarship at Chapel Hill
the Morehead scholarship at Chapel Hill
the Morehead scholarship at Chapel Hill well I got down there and you know what
well I got down there and you know what
well I got down there and you know what I have to see we’d get Chapel Hill you
I have to see we’d get Chapel Hill you
I have to see we’d get Chapel Hill you can get in bad trouble over there but
can get in bad trouble over there but
can get in bad trouble over there but but I decided I liked that place over
but I decided I liked that place over
but I decided I liked that place over there and I’ve always wanted to be a
there and I’ve always wanted to be a
there and I’ve always wanted to be a politician of some sort because I
politician of some sort because I
politician of some sort because I admired senator Sam urban the chairman
admired senator Sam urban the chairman
admired senator Sam urban the chairman of Watergate community even back in
of Watergate community even back in
of Watergate community even back in those days and I decided to stay
those days and I decided to stay
those days and I decided to stay although I didn’t get the scholarship it
although I didn’t get the scholarship it
although I didn’t get the scholarship it was a failure and I felt real bad about
was a failure and I felt real bad about
was a failure and I felt real bad about it but I always was brought up to think
it but I always was brought up to think
it but I always was brought up to think my goodness looked for the good part and
my goodness looked for the good part and
my goodness looked for the good part and the good part is that they gave me a
the good part is that they gave me a
the good part is that they gave me a $200 a semester scholarship to go to
$200 a semester scholarship to go to
$200 a semester scholarship to go to Carolina and I went to Carolina and then
Carolina and I went to Carolina and then
Carolina and I went to Carolina and then fade again struck after that was over I
fade again struck after that was over I
fade again struck after that was over I decided I wanted to go work in
decided I wanted to go work in
decided I wanted to go work in Washington and I went up there without
Washington and I went up there without
Washington and I went up there without any notion of ever getting the job but I
any notion of ever getting the job but I
any notion of ever getting the job but I wrote senator Ervin the letter and I
wrote senator Ervin the letter and I
wrote senator Ervin the letter and I said I’d like to work with you someday
said I’d like to work with you someday
said I’d like to work with you someday senator I liked all that stuff of
senator I liked all that stuff of
senator I liked all that stuff of Washington the thrill of it and you know
Washington the thrill of it and you know
Washington the thrill of it and you know whatever had taught the third grade for
whatever had taught the third grade for
whatever had taught the third grade for a year in a Catholic boys school and
a year in a Catholic boys school and
a year in a Catholic boys school and here I was a shallow-water badness from
here I was a shallow-water badness from
here I was a shallow-water badness from the Boone and I taught the third grade
the Boone and I taught the third grade
the Boone and I taught the third grade and got a call from careful he’ll come
and got a call from careful he’ll come
and got a call from careful he’ll come over interview with us and then there’s
over interview with us and then there’s
over interview with us and then there’s a lot of history after that I finished
a lot of history after that I finished
a lot of history after that I finished law school at night five nights a week
law school at night five nights a week
law school at night five nights a week four seasons a year cruel and unusual
four seasons a year cruel and unusual
four seasons a year cruel and unusual punishment and I vowed that someday
punishment and I vowed that someday
punishment and I vowed that someday somebody would pay for that and the tax
somebody would pay for that and the tax
somebody would pay for that and the tax did for 28 years and when I graduated
did for 28 years and when I graduated
did for 28 years and when I graduated law school he made me as Sarah said the
law school he made me as Sarah said the
law school he made me as Sarah said the chief counsel and staff director at 28
chief counsel and staff director at 28
chief counsel and staff director at 28 years old the Senate Subcommittee on
years old the Senate Subcommittee on
years old the Senate Subcommittee on separation of powers nobody should have
separation of powers nobody should have
separation of powers nobody should have a job like that at that age and then a
a job like that at that age and then a
a job like that at that age and then a thing called Watergate occurred where
thing called Watergate occurred where
thing called Watergate occurred where there was a slight article one time and
there was a slight article one time and
there was a slight article one time and President Nixon said well that was just
President Nixon said well that was just
President Nixon said well that was just a third-rate burglary and look what
a third-rate burglary and look what
a third-rate burglary and look what happened to Watergate Watergate
happened to Watergate Watergate
happened to Watergate Watergate crescendoed into the nation’s most dried
crescendoed into the nation’s most dried
crescendoed into the nation’s most dried dynamic domestic crisis ever we didn’t
dynamic domestic crisis ever we didn’t
dynamic domestic crisis ever we didn’t know what was going to do with Nixon
know what was going to do with Nixon
know what was going to do with Nixon left office he might have decided to
left office he might have decided to
left office he might have decided to armed forces and take over the country
armed forces and take over the country
armed forces and take over the country but anyway I got back home and of course
but anyway I got back home and of course
but anyway I got back home and of course I used what a gauge I ran for attorney
I used what a gauge I ran for attorney
I used what a gauge I ran for attorney general I loved that job because I was
general I loved that job because I was
general I loved that job because I was able to help people my training and
able to help people my training and
able to help people my training and empathy came through because I thought
empathy came through because I thought
empathy came through because I thought okay the big shots they can hire all the
okay the big shots they can hire all the
okay the big shots they can hire all the fancy people they want to all the fine
fancy people they want to all the fine
fancy people they want to all the fine lawyers I tried to look out for the
lawyers I tried to look out for the
lawyers I tried to look out for the little person and that’s where my that
little person and that’s where my that
little person and that’s where my that wonderful empathy came into play because
wonderful empathy came into play because
wonderful empathy came into play because of what I had been taught at home all
of what I had been taught at home all
of what I had been taught at home all those years and then I ran for governor
those years and then I ran for governor
those years and then I ran for governor didn’t work out here it’s okay one of my
didn’t work out here it’s okay one of my
didn’t work out here it’s okay one of my friends going back to my friend said I
friends going back to my friend said I
friends going back to my friend said I was walking around holding my head down
was walking around holding my head down
was walking around holding my head down feeling sorry for myself and he said
feeling sorry for myself and he said
feeling sorry for myself and he said stop it Rufus how many people are there
stop it Rufus how many people are there
stop it Rufus how many people are there in North Carolina I said close to 8
in North Carolina I said close to 8
in North Carolina I said close to 8 million he said how many people got the
million he said how many people got the
million he said how many people got the nomination for governor that’s not only
nomination for governor that’s not only
nomination for governor that’s not only two of us he said ok cut it out cut it
two of us he said ok cut it out cut it
two of us he said ok cut it out cut it out you did something that so many other
out you did something that so many other
out you did something that so many other people didn’t do my attitude changed
people didn’t do my attitude changed
people didn’t do my attitude changed because my friends were willing to tell
because my friends were willing to tell
because my friends were willing to tell me what I needed to be told now folks
me what I needed to be told now folks
me what I needed to be told now folks were getting into something here now I
worked hard and faded again faith struck
worked hard and faded again faith struck again the man who had been secretary of
again the man who had been secretary of
again the man who had been secretary of state longer than I had lived he had
state longer than I had lived he had
state longer than I had lived he had been secretary second 52 years mr.
been secretary second 52 years mr.
been secretary second 52 years mr. Sadler and I ran from secretary say that
Sadler and I ran from secretary say that
Sadler and I ran from secretary say that was 42 years old after having been
was 42 years old after having been
was 42 years old after having been Attorney General and I
Attorney General and I
Attorney General and I and let me tell you what pains me very
and let me tell you what pains me very
and let me tell you what pains me very much today to be talking to you about
much today to be talking to you about
much today to be talking to you about toward the end of that two-year term I
toward the end of that two-year term I
toward the end of that two-year term I did a lot of things that I’m ashamed of
did a lot of things that I’m ashamed of
did a lot of things that I’m ashamed of I’m not talking about it till today
I’m not talking about it till today
I’m not talking about it till today because if you’ve done some things like
because if you’ve done some things like
because if you’ve done some things like that
that
that you were told try to let it go don’t
you were told try to let it go don’t
you were told try to let it go don’t bring it up well I’m ashamed I got full
bring it up well I’m ashamed I got full
bring it up well I’m ashamed I got full of hubris I had forgotten all the things
of hubris I had forgotten all the things
of hubris I had forgotten all the things I’d been taught all that I had seen
I’d been taught all that I had seen
I’d been taught all that I had seen Richard Nixon his people do I fell into
Richard Nixon his people do I fell into
Richard Nixon his people do I fell into it I started doing things that was they
it I started doing things that was they
it I started doing things that was they were so hubris ridden that it got to be
were so hubris ridden that it got to be
were so hubris ridden that it got to be funny the newspapers got after me the
funny the newspapers got after me the
funny the newspapers got after me the TVs got after me it got so bad that
TVs got after me it got so bad that
TVs got after me it got so bad that frankly I’d left office in disgrace
frankly I’d left office in disgrace
frankly I’d left office in disgrace total disgrace I’ve never felt as low in
total disgrace I’ve never felt as low in
total disgrace I’ve never felt as low in my life I was afraid to come out of the
my life I was afraid to come out of the
my life I was afraid to come out of the house my dear wife is in this audience
house my dear wife is in this audience
house my dear wife is in this audience today she said you’re not staying in
today she said you’re not staying in
today she said you’re not staying in this house
this house
this house she said you’re getting out of here and
she said you’re getting out of here and
she said you’re getting out of here and you’re gonna go to work Monday morning I
you’re gonna go to work Monday morning I
you’re gonna go to work Monday morning I did and because of my friends within two
did and because of my friends within two
did and because of my friends within two weeks I had clients and I was having a
weeks I had clients and I was having a
weeks I had clients and I was having a hard time holding my head up and another
hard time holding my head up and another
hard time holding my head up and another friend said look hold your head up high
friend said look hold your head up high
friend said look hold your head up high you can get over this if you try and you
you can get over this if you try and you
you can get over this if you try and you use the principles you have told us
use the principles you have told us
use the principles you have told us about so many times in your speeches
about so many times in your speeches
about so many times in your speeches well I was under investigation for eight
well I was under investigation for eight
well I was under investigation for eight week eight months under investigation by
week eight months under investigation by
week eight months under investigation by the SBI which had been under my charge I
the SBI which had been under my charge I
the SBI which had been under my charge I would have nightmares about going to
would have nightmares about going to
would have nightmares about going to jail it was a terrible time but then
jail it was a terrible time but then
jail it was a terrible time but then again I reverted back to the empathy
again I reverted back to the empathy
again I reverted back to the empathy that people gave me and I thought man
that people gave me and I thought man
that people gave me and I thought man you’re getting along just fine here now
you’re getting along just fine here now
you’re getting along just fine here now and I’ve put a law practice together I
and I’ve put a law practice together I
and I’ve put a law practice together I again back was helping people because I
again back was helping people because I
again back was helping people because I thought that was my mission as we’ve
thought that was my mission as we’ve
thought that was my mission as we’ve talked about today and lo and behold you
talked about today and lo and behold you
talked about today and lo and behold you won’t believe it
won’t believe it
won’t believe it another thing happened along about ten
another thing happened along about ten
another thing happened along about ten years ago I came into my office I felt
years ago I came into my office I felt
years ago I came into my office I felt so bad I said did I have too much to
so bad I said did I have too much to
so bad I said did I have too much to drink last night and that wouldn’t been
drink last night and that wouldn’t been
drink last night and that wouldn’t been unusual for me
unusual for me
unusual for me I climbed the stairs and I fell like a
I climbed the stairs and I fell like a
I climbed the stairs and I fell like a sack of flour that got dynamite a little
sack of flour that got dynamite a little
sack of flour that got dynamite a little little doctor I called him the gorilla
little doctor I called him the gorilla
little doctor I called him the gorilla doctor because he would had an office in
doctor because he would had an office in
doctor because he would had an office in an old converted service station he said
an old converted service station he said
an old converted service station he said step up on the stool I stepped up and I
step up on the stool I stepped up and I
step up on the stool I stepped up and I collapsed again I said doc what’s wrong
collapsed again I said doc what’s wrong
collapsed again I said doc what’s wrong he said you have guillain-barre syndrome
he said you have guillain-barre syndrome
he said you have guillain-barre syndrome I says that bad he said yes it could be
I says that bad he said yes it could be
I says that bad he said yes it could be very bad we have to get you to the
very bad we have to get you to the
very bad we have to get you to the hospital immediately that was the
hospital immediately that was the
hospital immediately that was the longest ride over the Rex hospital spent
longest ride over the Rex hospital spent
longest ride over the Rex hospital spent a week there and I was totally paralyzed
a week there and I was totally paralyzed
a week there and I was totally paralyzed could not lift the finger could not talk
could not lift the finger could not talk
could not lift the finger could not talk because yeah I’m very syndrome it lets
because yeah I’m very syndrome it lets
because yeah I’m very syndrome it lets the cells eat one another and you don’t
the cells eat one another and you don’t
the cells eat one another and you don’t know whether you’re gonna get better or
know whether you’re gonna get better or
know whether you’re gonna get better or not but here’s my part of how life could
not but here’s my part of how life could
not but here’s my part of how life could be gracious and wonderful I got over to
be gracious and wonderful I got over to
be gracious and wonderful I got over to wake med and had all these doctors had
wake med and had all these doctors had
wake med and had all these doctors had five of them folks I cannot remember
five of them folks I cannot remember
five of them folks I cannot remember their name to save my life and who I
their name to save my life and who I
their name to save my life and who I remember I remember Deborah Deborah was
remember I remember Deborah Deborah was
remember I remember Deborah Deborah was the one they called a medical tech you
the one they called a medical tech you
the one they called a medical tech you know what she did she wiped my rear
know what she did she wiped my rear
know what she did she wiped my rear frankly yes the people that helped you
frankly yes the people that helped you
frankly yes the people that helped you that we forget about that make the
that we forget about that make the
that we forget about that make the minimum wages and you talk about empathy
minimum wages and you talk about empathy
minimum wages and you talk about empathy she had empathy for me she did not know
she had empathy for me she did not know
she had empathy for me she did not know that I had been the Big Shot that I’d
that I had been the Big Shot that I’d
that I had been the Big Shot that I’d done all those things and she at times
done all those things and she at times
done all those things and she at times and softly Hum Amazing Grace and I’ve
and softly Hum Amazing Grace and I’ve
and softly Hum Amazing Grace and I’ve cried like a baby so I survived because
cried like a baby so I survived because
cried like a baby so I survived because of those wonderful things that I told
of those wonderful things that I told
of those wonderful things that I told you about having friends showing empathy
you about having friends showing empathy
you about having friends showing empathy never forgetting to thank your people
never forgetting to thank your people
never forgetting to thank your people and also having a spirit of religiosity
and also having a spirit of religiosity
and also having a spirit of religiosity as I mentioned to you a while ago when I
as I mentioned to you a while ago when I
as I mentioned to you a while ago when I was lying there on that bed thinking I
was lying there on that bed thinking I
was lying there on that bed thinking I would never walk again
would never walk again
would never walk again you think the worse every day a
you think the worse every day a
you think the worse every day a secretary Cheryl a my dear wife would
secretary Cheryl a my dear wife would
secretary Cheryl a my dear wife would come in with a brown paper sack and to
come in with a brown paper sack and to
come in with a brown paper sack and to be letters cards from people to North
be letters cards from people to North
be letters cards from people to North Carolina and that sort of forgotten the
Carolina and that sort of forgotten the
Carolina and that sort of forgotten the roots of my brain
roots of my brain
roots of my brain through for the Three Forks Baptist
through for the Three Forks Baptist
through for the Three Forks Baptist Church and they said we’re praying for
Church and they said we’re praying for
Church and they said we’re praying for you
you
you we formed prayer groups I didn’t laugh
we formed prayer groups I didn’t laugh
we formed prayer groups I didn’t laugh about that because I loved it and I my
about that because I loved it and I my
about that because I loved it and I my heart was pounding because they were so
heart was pounding because they were so
heart was pounding because they were so gracious to what helped me and that heal
gracious to what helped me and that heal
gracious to what helped me and that heal making it help me heal I’m back I am
making it help me heal I’m back I am
making it help me heal I’m back I am still going full throttle and I wanted
still going full throttle and I wanted
still going full throttle and I wanted to say to you that if you ever think
to say to you that if you ever think
to say to you that if you ever think that you don’t have something to offer
that you don’t have something to offer
that you don’t have something to offer then sometime do like I did two nights
then sometime do like I did two nights
then sometime do like I did two nights ago
ago
ago have dinner with a young lady who we
have dinner with a young lady who we
have dinner with a young lady who we chose the foundation I have called super
chose the foundation I have called super
chose the foundation I have called super kids who was in the worst shape you can
kids who was in the worst shape you can
kids who was in the worst shape you can think of she had never had anything
think of she had never had anything
think of she had never had anything she’s now in the Carolina med school and
she’s now in the Carolina med school and
she’s now in the Carolina med school and I sat there with her and had a fine meal
I sat there with her and had a fine meal
I sat there with her and had a fine meal and my heart was so full of admiration
and my heart was so full of admiration
and my heart was so full of admiration and grace and I almost want to sing
and grace and I almost want to sing
and grace and I almost want to sing amazing grace right now why not
amazing grace right now why not
amazing grace right now why not Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me I once was lost
saved a wretch like me I once was lost
saved a wretch like me I once was lost but now I’m found was blind but now I
but now I’m found was blind but now I
but now I’m found was blind but now I see there’s something great thank you
”
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