Always Read Stuff

Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

-- P. J. O'Rourke (1947-), American political satirist

Shocking!

That poster is shocking. It gives people facts before they take risks.

-- Domonique Foxworth, of the Baltimore Ravens, discussing new language from the NFL warning of the danger of concussions, New York Times, 27 July 2010

Talk Too Much

I've learned a lot of lessons from this whole experience, and perhaps, maybe, the biggest lesson I learned is that I talk too much.

-- Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on choosing not to testify at his political corruption trial, 25 July 2010

RIP Daniel Schorr

Whenever I'm not sure about something, the ethics of something, the question I ask myself is, "What would Murrow have done? What would Murrow say?" It seems strange after all these years that I still have him as a kind of symbol and an emblem to live by, but I do.

-- Daniel Schorr (31 August 1916 - 23 July 2010), American journalist and news analyst

w00t!

Congratulations to my #1 daughter Tia and to Joseph Allen Schum on the occasion of their wedding, Saturday 24 July 2010.

Cart Veeling

I was cart-veeling through the air at 60K, hitting my arms and legs. I realized everything was still attached, though, so I figured, why not ride on?

-- Cyclist Jens Voigt on his decision to resume riding after a crash in Stage 16 of the 2010 Tour de France, 22 July 2010

Helping Hand

It was on my fifth birthday that Papa put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Remember, my son, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."

-- Sam Levenson (1911-1980), American humorist and writer, In One Era & Out the Other

Burden

It is the will of God that we must have critics, and missionaries, and Congressmen, and humorists, and we must bear the burden.

-- Mark Twain, in his newly published autobiography, dictated a century ago, New York Times, 10 July 2010

Corner

It's an encouraging sign. In a couple more days it may be even more encouraging. But no celebrations. I mean, you know, if you go talk to these people that live here, that "celebration" is a wrong word. But it could be -- we could be very close, whether it's through this activity or through the relief wells, to the point where we feel like -- I think everyone feels like we've begun to turn a corner, and an important corner. But no, it's not the time to celebrate, I don't think.

-- BP chief operating officer Doug Suttles, on the news that a containment cap had cut off the flow of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, 16 July 2010

Ruthless

The rich are different: they are more ruthless.

-- Sam Khater, an economist on why the rich have stopped paying their mortgages at a rate that exceeds the rest of the population, New York Times, 9 July 2010

Mona Lisa

Owning the Yankees is like owning the Mona Lisa.

-- George Michael Steinbrenner III (4 July 1930 - 13 July 2010), principal owner and managing partner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees

Union And Cooperation

There is but one mode by which man can possess in perpetuity all the happiness which his nature is capable of enjoying, -- that is by the union and co-operation of all for the benefit of each. Union and co-operation in war obviously increase the power of the individual a thousand fold. Is there the shadow of a reason why they should not produce equal effects in peace; why the principle of co-operation should not give to men the same superior powers, and advantages, (and much greater) in the creation, preservation, distribution and enjoyment of wealth?

-- Robert Owen (1771-1858), Welsh socialist and social reformer, The Social System (1826)

Cycle Tracks

Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia.

-- H.G. Wells (1866-1946), British writer, A Modern Utopia (1905), Ch. 2, sect. 3

Before A War

Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy; but after a war it seems more like astrology.

-- Cicely Isabel Fairfield (1892 - 1983), known by her pen name Rebecca West, DBE, English author, journalist, and literary critic

Cobbles Don't Scare Me

The cobbles don't scare me. I plan on being at the front and sprinting for the win today.

-- Professional Cyclist Thor Hushovd on the inclusion of sections of cobblestones in the 2010 Tour de France, prior to Stage 3, 6 July 2010; Hushovd went on to win the day's stage

New Hero

My new hero is B. B. King.

-- Ringo Starr, on turning 70, New York Times, 6 July 2010

Progress

I sometimes do not know what to say, but every day I make progress.

-- Bina48, a $125,000 "friend" robot programmed to make eye contact and converse, New York Times, 5 July 2010

Only Goodness

Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, "the greatest", but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is.

-- Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986), journalist and author, "What's Wrong with Being Proud?" in Pieces of Eight (1982)

Division

There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.

-- John Adams (30 October 1735 - 4 July 1826), first Vice President, second President of the US, father of John Quincy Adams, Letter to Jonathan Jackson (2 October 1789)