Important quotes

Thoughts on a stormy day from a somewhat storm tossed mind …

I was forced to stay inside the cloistered walls of the rancho by waves of an increasing Washoe Zephyr recently, and found several pages of rather poignant quotes dating back to the origins of Greek Democracy, and very relative to what is happening in Washington even as you peruse these pages.

Cicero is said to have commented one time: “Freedom is the power to live as you will.  Who then lives as he wills?”  That would bring a Homeland Security check if sent by e-mail.

In 1928, Supreme Court Justice Brandeis is quoted as saying, “The makers of the Constitution conferred, as against the government, the Right to be let alone; the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by civilized man.”

Whilst my old friend Jimmie Durante said, “Put no constrictions on the people.  Leave ‘em ta Hell alone.”  Amen brother.  When I was publicity director at John Ascuaga’s Nugget at the end of the 60s and first year of 1970, Durante appeared often.  No different in person than on stage. 

“All government, of course, is against Liberty.”  Those are the words of H.L. Mencken, said many years ago.  Doesn’t anyone in Washington listen?

It was Robert Frost that said, “Freedom lies in being bold.”  And Hunter S. Thompson said, “When you are INNOCENT you can do ANYTHING that you want.”  Unless, of course, if the Patriot act intervenes.

It was Alexander Tyler writing about the fall of the Athenian Republic, which fell, by the way, some 2,000 years ago, that democracies only last about 200 years, progress through specific sequences.  To wit:

From bondage to spiritual faith;

From spiritual faith to great courage;

From great courage to Liberty;

From Liberty to abundance;

From abundance to complacency;

From complacency to apathy;

From apathy to dependence;

From dependence back into bondage.

Samuel Adams backed that up, 200 years ago, saying, “Democracy never lasts long, it soon wastes itself, exhausts and murders itself.  There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”

It was John F. Kennedy that said, “Every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated.”

And Abraham Lincoln said, “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.”

Your job then, if you wish to accept the position, is to convince 435 members of the House of Representatives, 100 members of the U.S. Senate, and one rather uppity President of the United States, that what has been said in the past still holds true today.

Have a great day, read good books, and stay regular.