Diplomatically

I would like to say to the Iranian people:  You are not our enemies and we are not yours.  There is a possibility to solve this issue diplomatically.

-- Israeli President Shimon Peres regarding the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 countries, the US, Britain, China, Russia, France, and Germany, CNN, 25 November 2013

Nuclear Option

It's past time to fix Congress and make the legislative process work in a way that puts the American people ahead of petty politics.  It's past time Congress begins working together to move this country forward.

-- Senator Joe Manchin III (D-W. Va.), one of three Democrats to side unsuccessfully with Republicans against changing Senate procedure regarding the filibuster, in a statement after the vote, 21 November 2013

Troublesome And Fatiguing

Most of us seldom take the trouble to think.  It is a troublesome and fatiguing process and often leads to uncomfortable conclusions.  But crises and deadlocks when they occur have at least this advantage, that they force us to think.

-- Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), Indian politican, first Prime Minister of India, The Unity of India: Collected Writings, 1937-1940 (1942), p94

I'm Outside

Oh my God.  I'm outside.  You see this on TV all of the time, but you never think it will happen to you.

-- Pat Whitaker, 82, of Gifford, IL on finding herself outdoors after having been upstairs at home when a tornado struck, 17 November 2013

Magic!

There's tons of magic in the world, and it's all science.

-- Martha Beck (29 November 1962-), The Four Technologies of Magic, at TEDx San Diego 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7WTcF0-TY

Family Mission Statement

Family mission statement:

To cooperatively construct and maintain a safe, nurturing place to practice exercising our judgment, and respecting the judgment of others, in order to develop as autonomous individuals who are ready to contribute to the greater good while finding personal fulfillment.

11/12/13

Today is 11/12/13.  Sorry, that's all I've got.

Remembrance Day

Sitting in front of my fireplace, basking in it's warm glow gives me time to reflect upon the sacrifices that it has taken for me to enjoy the security of a good home, in a safe environment.  I can hear the soft whisper of the snow as it caresses my window and covers the ground outside in a scintillating display of sparkling lights under the full moon.  How many times have our service men and women watched this same scene from a foxhole, or camped in some remote part of the world.  Thankful for the silence of that moment, knowing it won't last long.  Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.  He/she dresses in fatigues and patrols the world restlessly, ensuring that we can have this peaceful night.  Every day they give us the gift of this lifestyle that we enjoy, and every night they watch over us.  They are warriors, angels, guardians, friends, brothers, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, forming a family that stretches back to the beginning of the country.  So tonight when you go to bed say a prayer that God watch over those who watch over us, and thank them for their sacrifices, on and off the battlefield.  Pray that they have a peaceful night, and will be home soon with their families who also share their burden.  Without them we would not have this moment.

-- Neil Leckman

Twitter

just setting up my twttr
2:50 PM - 21 Mar 2006

-- Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey @jack in the first Twitter post; Twitter's IPO opened at $45.10 on its first day of 7 November 2013, giving it a valuation of $31.5 billion

Illinois Is So Gay

Today the Illinois House put our state on the right side of history.

-- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, in a statement after the Illinois House passed a bill legalizing gay marriage, 5 November 2013

Too Big To Jail

Sometimes, blame-worthy institutions need to be held accountable, too. No institution should rest easy in the belief that it is too big to jail. That is a moral hazard that a just society can ill afford.

-- US Attorney Preet Bharara on the $1.8 billion settlement of criminal charges against SAC Capital Advisors, 4 November 2013

Debacle

Hold me accountable for the debacle. I'm responsible.

-- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at a House committee hearing on the troubles with the health care website, New York Times, 31 October 2013