"Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe"

Theodore Roosevelt's quote is a pointer that even the most well-intentioned reform movements can be pirated by extremists. He is warning us that when a motion is acquiring momentum, it can bring in people who are more thinking about making a statement than in attaining genuine change. These people, often described as the "lunatic fringe," can be disruptive and can even harm the cause they claim to support. Roosevelt's quote is a suggestion to be watchful and to ensure that the objectives of a reform movement remain concentrated on achieving real modification. It is likewise a pointer that we must not be too fast to evaluate those who may be on the fringes of a motion, as they might still be working towards the exact same objectives.