Quote Board
Post any quotes here that you think are interesting or any of the stupid stuff we say.
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Word of the Day- histrionics: Dictionary.com Word of the Day June 4, 2012histrionics: behavior or speech for effect, as insincere or exaggerated expression of an emotion.
- histrionics: Dictionary.com Word of the Day June 4, 2012
“That entity which claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force.”
- Max Weber’s influential definition of the state.
An interesting quote from the former defense secretary during Vietnam. Robert McNamara was once a hard line advocate for military intervention in South Asia but later recanted those beliefs later in life.
After reading the Times’ article about McNamara, I couldn’t help to notice the strong parallels between Vietnam and Iraq. I find this quote particularly interesting both because of its validity, and its ability to accurately describe two wars 40 years apart.
“If we can’t persuade nations with comparable values of merit of our cause, we’d better re-examine our reasoning. War is so complex it’s beyond the ability of the human mind to comprehend. Our judgment, our understanding, are not adequate. And we kill people unnecessarily.”
- Robert McNamara
“A great democracy must be progressive or it will soon cease to be a great democracy”
Teddy Roosevelt, 26th US President (1901-09)
“Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.”
Abraham Lincoln
December, 1840
great quote. An interesting anecdote: Despite Lincoln’s views on prohibition (which are so eloquently described in this quote), he abstained from drinking alcohol.
Certainly, one cannot write off Lincoln’s views on prohibition as being influenced by his personal drinking habits.
at my job at the nba they send out quotes every day that are found around the country having to do with games. here’s one that i though was witty and if the specific teams are replaced can be pretty cool as an amibguous quote:
“The plays are only noticeable in hindsight. On replays. In memory … Only one thing is certain: Championship teams make them, everyone else watches them later in the film room. And right now, the Lakers are the team in these NBA Finals keeping the opposing video technician busy.” — Ramona Shelburne, Los Angeles Daily News
“Mrs. Landingham, what’s next?”
- President Bartlet
“America: Even Its Worst Critics Prefer to Stay”
- My modification of the winning motto in the Freakonomics Blog’s poll for a new 6-word motto of the U.S.
My foresight is 20/20 – Mr. Flack
move away from your western guns, travel towards eastern suns
far above all earthly goals, I pledge for creation’s soul
lost in the days to come…
lyrics from a song I’ve been bumping called “Days to Come” by Bonobo
Two quotes from my favorite historian, Howard Zinn, whom most of you already know:
“Historically, government, whether in the hands of Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, has failed its responsibilities, until forced to by direct action: sit-ins and Freedom Rides for the rights of black people, strikes and boycotts for the rights of workers, mutinies and desertions of soldiers in order to stop a war.”
Howard Zinn
“Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens.”
Howard Zinn
“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.” – Abraham Lincoln
Great quote, thought you would like it Jon.