The cornerstone of modern civilization must continue to be religion and morality.
~ William Howard Taft
Calvin Coolidge – select quotes
Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.
~ Presidential message, December 25, 1927
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
The strength of a country is the strength of its religious convictions.
The right of the police of Boston to affiliate, which has been questioned, never granted, is now prohibited. There is no right to strike against the public safety by anybody, anywhere, anytime.
~ in a telegram to AFL President Gompers, September 14, 1919
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Foresight Is 40-40
Hindsight may be 20-20, but foresight is 40-40. At least that is how Southern Baptists see it.
I have not yet determined exactly how, but it is my intention to participate at some level and hope to involve the students in my Western Civilization classes in the 40/40 Prayer Vigil for Spiritual Revival and National Renewal that is being planned by Southern Baptists. [Read more…]
Sarah Palin – A few quick thoughts
During the last 24 hours I have been asked no less than a couple dozen times what I think of John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin to be on the Republican ticket with him. I have no great insights into the selection (so you might want to stop reading now), but I share here four or five quick observations.
What Would You Do If You Were President?
McCain and Obama have been telling us what they will do if they become President. Well, what would you do if you became President? Tessa shared her vision for America in the picture above. Need help with the translation?
“If I were President I would make everything free and wear pretty dresses.”
I think I am going to vote for Tessa.
Robert Novak – Defending The American Dream Summit
This evening Robert Novak spoke during our dinner at the Defending the American Dream Summit. Yes, I know what some of you are thinking who routinely read my blog. It has not been long since I said of Novak that as he has aged (he is 76) he has gradually stopped doing research and reporting and instead has become a gossip columnist. (And, yes I made a similar claim about the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund who will be speaking to us tomorrow.) But, let me tell you, Novak’s speech this evening and the Q&A session afterwards were both insightful and interesting.
I’m Not A Republican
I’m not a Republican. No, I’m not a Democrat, either. I’m not a Libertarian and I’m not Green. I’m independent with a non-capital i.
I find no fault with anyone who is active in a political party, such as my wife. But, I just don’t feel like I can belong to a political party at this point in my life and not get caught in a conflict of interests with the primary calling on my life; the gospel.
Nevertheless, I am a political junkie.
So, I am very interested in what is happening with Huck Pac. After dropping out of the race to become the Republican nominee in the presidential election, Mike Huckabee formed Huck Pac to support Republican candidates who share the conservative values of those who had previously supported Huckabee. To quote Huckabee, “Huck PAC is not a “memory-maker” from the presidential campaign, it is a serious effort to make a difference in the campaigns of Republican candidates everywhere.”
I will be very interested to see how this endeavor develops.
Ulysses S. Grant – Select Quotes
The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of the oppression, if they are strong enough, whether by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable.
~ in Personal Memoirs, vol. 1
I never learned to swear. When a boy I seemed to have an aversion to it, and when I became a man I saw th folly of it. I have always noticed, too, that swearing helps to rouse a man’s anger; and when a man flies into a passion his adversary who keeps cool always gets the better of him. In fact, i could never see the use of swearing. I think it is the case with many people who swear excessively that they do not mean to be profane; but, to say the least, it is a great waste of time.
~ quoted in Cigars, Whiskey, and Winning Leadership Lessons, p. 9
Costumes Make The President
I have been thinking of President George W. Bush’s approval ratings and what I might suggest to him in order to improve them if I was called upon to act as a consultant.
Well, first we must work with image. As the old saying goes, clothes make the man. However, desperate times require desperate actions. So, lets skip right past clothes and go directly to Halloween costumes
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I know what you are thinking… No, I do not think a Captain Jack costume would be helpful. It plays right into the current stereotype.
However, if we could get his twins into these scandalous pirate costumes we might be able to divert attention away from him. In fact, I think that we would almost certainly be able to do so. It just might save his presidency.
But, back to the POTUS. What clothes would make this man? Star Wars themed costumes? No, I don’t think Chewbaca or Darth Maul would be of help to us here. And Superman just might be too much. Batman? No, his political enemies would work that in ways unbecoming.
This is more difficult than I first thought it would be. Well, there are more than 8,000 different costumes available at the Costume Cauldron so we should be able to find something that works. And, since George will be unemployed come January I know how he can save some money.
There is a secret HAUNTED HOUSE backdoor on the Costume Cauldron website that gets people a great discount. To get the discount, go to the homepage and halfway down on the right you will find a line that reads “Our Store now has over 8,000 masquerade items for you to choose from!” Click on the brown comma in that line and it will give you the discount code.
I’ve got it! The perfect way to send the message that President bush is committed to stopping global warming — he and the First Lady can begin a Mr. and Mrs. Snowman tour. President Roosevelt is remembered for saving the free world, President Lincoln saved the Union, and President Bush will be known as the President who save the Snowman. COOL! (literally)
Texas Is Voting
I voted today. The Texas primary isn’t until Tuesday, March 4 but we have early voting. I was shocked at how many people were there. It wasn’t even election day but people were lined up almost out the doors to vote early.
I voted for the person who I thought would make the best President. He is also the only person who could answer “yes” to all the questions on the following voter’s guide.
Click on the image to enlarge it.
