Should Not Comment

[T]he Parties agree that Executive Branch officials outside the Department of Justice and its components should not comment publicly on ongoing career civil service employee disciplinary matters ... so as not to create any appearance of improper political influence.

-- US Department of Justice in a settlement reached with former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, in which the DOJ agreed to restore full law enforcement benefits and provide some attorney fees, 14 October 2021

Ignorant And Free

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

-- Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), third president of the United States (1801-1809), political philosopher, and one of the most influential founders of the United States, Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey (6 January 1816) ME 14:384

A Precondition For Democracy

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021 to Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.  Ms Ressa and Mr Muratov are receiving the Peace Prize for their courageous fight for freedom of expression in the Philippines and Russia.  At the same time, they are representatives of all journalists who stand up for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press face increasingly adverse conditions.

-- Norwegian Nobel Committee, in their official announcement of Nobel Peace Prize 2021 (8 October 2021)

Enjoy Halloween

You're outdoors, for the most part -- at least when my children were out there doing trick-or-treating.  And enjoy it.  I mean, this is a time that children love.  It's a very important part of the year for children.  I know my children enjoyed it. 

If you look at the history of the surges and the diminution in cases over a period of time, they can bounce back.  So we don't want to always be on our edge that it's going to happen because it won't if we do what we should be doing, namely getting more people vaccinated.  But go out there and enjoy Halloween, as well as the other holidays that will be coming up.

-- Dr. Anthony Fauci, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union", 11 October 2021

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures -- safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across the generations.  On Indigenous Peoples' Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government's trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.

On Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor America's first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.  I encourage everyone to celebrate and recognize the many Indigenous communities and cultures that make up our great country. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2021, as Indigenous Peoples' Day.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.  I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation.  

-- President Joe Biden, A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples' Day, 2021, 8 October 2021

Overcoming Evil

The good and the bad mix themselves so thoroughly in our thoughts, even in our aspirations, that we must look for excellence rather in overcoming evil than in freeing ourselves from its influence.

-- Anthony Trollope (1815 - 1882), successful and prolific English novelist of the Victorian era, He Knew He Was Right (1869), Ch. 60

Honest And Honorable

The drafters of the Constitution had made one simple but far-reaching error.  They'd assumed that the people selected by The People to manage the nation would be as honest and honorable as they'd been.  One could almost hear the "Oops!" emanating from all those old graves. 

-- Thomas Leo "Tom" Clancy, Jr. (1947 - 2013), American author of both fiction and non-fiction, mostly related to the military, terrorism, and international affairs, The Bear and the Dragon (2000), Ch. 12 : Conflicts of the Pocket