Quotes and Stuff

A collection of quotes courtesy of patriotpost.us :

Because as I look around the state of this nation and see all of the weak little pampered candy-@$$es that are whining about this or protesting that, I'd be afraid to leave the fate of this nation entirely up to them." —First Lt. Bruce Bishop explaining why he's re-enlisting in the Utah National Guard

"An America that is militarily and economically strong is not enough. The world must see an America that is morally strong with a creed and a vision. This is what has led us to dare and achieve. For us, values counts."—Ronald Reagan

"The deficit doctors have their scalpels out all right, but they're not poised over the budget. That's as fat as ever and getting fatter. What they're ready to operate on is your wallet." --Ronald Reagan

"[L]et us thank God for life and the blessings He's put before us. High among them are our families, our freedom, and the opportunities of a new year. Let us renew our faith that as free men and women we still have the power to better our lives, and let us resolve to face the challenges of the new year holding that conviction firmly in our hearts. That, after all, is our greatest strength and our greatest gift as Americans." —Ronald Reagan

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."--Winston Churchill

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes...Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, foran unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." --Cesare Beccaria

Bulgaria announced they're pulling all their troops from Iraq, both of them. No, they said they'll replace their troops with a non-combat force. That would be the French army. --Jay Leno

"The privilege of debating our constitutional rights requires first that we be alive. If federal agents want to listen in on suspected terrorists as they plot their next mass murder, please allow me to turn up the volume. Meanwhile, unless I start placing calls to Peshawar using phrases such as 'I want my 72 virgins now,' then I figure I'm safe to make my next hair appointment without fear of exposure." —Kathleen Parker

"It's very hard to fight a terrorist war without intelligence. By definition, you can only win battles against terrorists preemptively—that's to say, you find out what they're planning to do next Thursday and you stop it cold on Wednesday. Capturing them on Friday while you're still pulling your dead from the rubble is poor consolation." —Mark Steyn

"Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual." —Mark Twain

"If I wanted to break the law, why was I briefing Congress?" —President George W. Bush on the NSA surveillance program

Schumer: Does the Constitution protect free speech?... Alito: Yes, Senator, the First Amendment protects free speech... Schumer: Well, why can you give me a straight answer on that issue but not give me a straight answer on abortion?... Alito: Because the text of the Constitution explicitly includes the term "free speech." —Exchange between Sen. Schumer and Judge Alito

Notable Newspulper Headlines:

If You Can Read This, Don't Thank a Professor: "Literacy Falls for Graduates From College, Study Finds" —The New York Times

A 200% Death Rate?: "It is known that the risk of death in adults with diabetes is approximately twofold that of the general population." —Reuters

The Stork Perhaps?: "Unwanted Births Up; Reasons Unclear" —Salt Lake Tribune

What Would We Do Without Scientists?: "Scientists Find Sand on Seafloor" —News.com.au

Not US!: "WHO Wants China Bird Flu Samples" —headline, CNN.com

Studying Always Made Us More Depressed: "One in 10 Teens Depressed: Study" —Reuters

"Meeting on Open Meetings Is Closed" —(Tucson) Arizona Daily Star **"Our question is, if they held a meeting on whether meetings on open meetings had to be open, would it be open or closed?"

Lava? In a Volcano?: "Mount St. Helens' Lava Astounds Scientists" —Associated Press

Not Everyone Is Susceptible to Thought: "Bird Flu Spreads to Humans More Easily Than Thought" —Reuters

He'll Wear Jersey No. XVI: "Pope to Enter NFL Draft" —Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Above 100%?: "Midlife Obesity Raises Later Risk of Death: Study" —Reuters

Headlines We'd Like to See: "Sharks Silence Powerful Senators" —San Jose Mercury News

Oh Sure, Blame the Bushes!: "New Source of Global Warming Gas Found: Plants" —Reuters

What Would We Do Without: "Study: 'Sleep Inertia' Affects Decision Making" —ABCNews.com

That's One Sick Bird: "Turkey Now Has 15 Cases of Human Bird Flu" —Associated Press (Thanks to The Wall Street Journal's James Taranto)