Words to Live By

A new feature at OA.

"Live steady. Don't f$#k around. Give anything weird a wide berth....including people. It's not worth it." Hunter S. Thompson

Great Name for a Band

Falls the Shadow

Thanks to T.S. Eliot, via Hunter S. Thompson

Quote of the Day

From Steve:

Every American has a right to own a handgun, but not the right to the healthcare he or she needs to be treated for the wounds caused by one?

If You Believe....

I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary. But the fact of the matter are that we have never made the national decision or marshaled the national resources required for such leadership. We have never specified long range goals on an urgent time schedule, or managed our resources and our time so as to ensure their fulfillment.

John F. Kennedy gave that speech in May, 1961 regarding space flight in a speech entitled "Special Message to Congress on Urgent National Needs"

We got a lot of wind -- particularly in Washington.

This from a speech by George Bush in January 2007 to an audience of researchers at DuPont. It's an official White House transcript, really.

I'm watching "When We Left the Earth." Alan Shepard was the first American in space, in May 1961. In June, 1969 Armstrong and Aldrin landed on the moon. We put a man on the moon and brought him safely to earth 8 years after President Kennedy asked us to.

In 4 months we sent two crews of three men to the moon. In 4 months. In all, 12 men landed on the moon in three years, 11 years after the first American in space. Neil Armstrong, the first, Gene Cernan the last. All of the men (and they were all men then) who helped make it happen are unknowned but were likely the brightest scientific minds of their time.

We can't find a non-carbon emitting fuel that doesn't produce dangerous waste, cure malaria, find an easy to grow food source, fill in the scientific breakthrough? Some work is being done.

Understatement of the century and words to live by:
"Either it's going to go as planned or something is going to go wrong."
Jim Lovell, Apollo 13

I Do I Do I Do. I Do?

From Daily Dose:

The Federal Marriage Amendment is reintroduced. And with perfect symbolism, its sponsors are Larry Craig, whose own marriage is based on a lie, and prostitute-client and foe of HIV-positive tourists, David Vitter. But it's committed gay couples who threaten marriage! And people wonder why some of us are sick of the Republican party.

This is almost as hilarious as the fact that the Defense of Marriage Act was written by Bob Barr, who has been married....say it with me....three times.

Ready, Aim. Tire.

When the British show up to quarter in my apartment, we're covered.

From the Post: "The National Rifle Association's executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre called the decision "a great moment in American history."

If American history ended in 1808.

Here Comes the Parade

"Brace yourselves for a whole lot of ugly comin' at you from a never ending parade of stupid." Hairspray

Fox News has refered to Michelle Obama as Barack's "baby mama" and suggested that the first bump the Obama's did the night he clinched might be a "terrorist fist jab." Seriously.

"Calling Michelle Obama a “baby mama” isn’t just Fox News having a happy casual larf; it’s using urban slang to a) remind you the Obamas are black, b) belittle a woman of considerable personal accomplishment, and c) frame Barack Obama’s relationship to his wife and children in a way that insults him, minimizes his love for and commitment to his family, and reinforces stereotypes about black men. Someone at Fox News just ought to call Barack Obama “boy” at some point so we can have all the cards right out there on the table," - John Scalzi (as quoted by Andrew Sullivan)

Of course they won't come out and say it. They'll just be content to lead the parade.

Tim Russert, RIP

"Say a prayer for Brother Timmie and tip a cold one." Tom Brokaw

I tipped a cold one with Tim Russert and his wife, Maureen one evening at the Four Provinces in Cleveland Park. He was drinking a draft, she, a glass of wine. When a drunk guy barreled up to him and, in a slurring roar declared his admiration, he was polite and somewhat amused.

After said drunk guy approached me and my friend, Tim declared, "He's not for you" with a broad smile. Very sweet, so unlike his Sunday morning demeanor.

A real loss for political journalism, especially in this historic election year, even if we acknowledge the sometimes-over-the-line gotcha nature of journalism that he perfected.

Sunday mornings will, indeed never be the same.

Yes We Can Believe

"I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington....I'm asking you to believe in yours." Barack Obama