Standing up for what you believe in is not easy. If any politician knows this, it is Arlen Specter. When this man first came to my attention it was in connection with the assassination of John Kennedy. I can tell you Senator Specter’s explanation of the "magic bullet theory" was not popular with everyone. After that, I had no respect for the man. However, I did respect one Mr. John Rich, the patriarch of the family that founded Woolrich Woolen Mill. As a young man I happened to be in a conversation with the elderly Mr. Rich and somehow Arlen’s name came up. I scoffed at the mere mention. The old man leveled his gaze at me and with quiet conviction said to me. "Arlen is a friend of mine, and I can tell you one thing for certain. If Arlen says something, you can believe it." At the time that incident did nothing to raise my opinion of the senator and tarnished my appreciation for Mr. Rich.
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