Last week, Argentina’s president Javier Milei gave an address to a group of world leaders. His speech was stirring, inspirational and soaringly eloquent. “We believe all people should live free from tyranny and oppression, whether in the form of political oppression, economic slavery or religious fanaticism,” he said. “This fundamental idea must not be mere words – it has to be supported by deeds: diplomatically, economically and materially.”
The speech was well received by all. That is, except for those who had watched The West Wing, because they might have remembered an episode in the fourth season where President Bartlet said the following: “We are for freedom from tyranny, everywhere, whether in the guise of political oppression … or economic slavery … or religious fanaticism … That most fundamental idea cannot be met with merely our support. It has to be met with our strength: diplomatically, economically, materially.”
