Old Fogey's Quotes for Thursday

"We both have the same symptoms; I just have a higher fever."
Head of the National Guard, comparing the Guard's shortage of combat-ready troops to the Army's
Why We Can't Send More Troops
[So far it appears Axis of Evil 3--US 0. Don't you feel safer?]

"I did not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone.'"
Former Texas governor Ann Richards, who died on the 13th
Former Texas Governor, Activist Ann Richards, 73
[We will miss her wit and wisdom. My favorite line: "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth," referring to Papa Bush]

"They want to turn 200 years of criminal procedure on its head."
Sen John McCain, referring to the White House push to allow an alleged enemy combatant to be convicted on the basis of classified information unavailable to the defendant
GOP Leaders Back Bush on Wiretapping, Tribunals
[The Repubs criticize the Dems for being 'relativists,' and yet think it's okay to pick and choose which constitutional rights belong to whom]

"This is like prewar Iraq all over again. You have an Iranian nuclear threat that is spun up, using bad information that's cherry-picked and a report that trashes the inspectors."
David Albright, a former nuclear inspector and president of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security
U.N. Inspectors Dispute Iran Report By House Panel
[The only thing that keeps this less than terrifying is the lack of combat-ready troops. Too bad Georgie Boy desn't have any more toy soldiers in his toy box]

“Simply stated, short of a crime, anything goes at the highest levels of the Department of the Interior.”
Earl E. Devaney, the Interior Department’s inspector general, at a hearing of the House Government Reform subcommittee on energy
Interior Official Assails Agency for Ethics Slide
[It's pathetic when high-level governmental corruption is no longer news, but just another drop in the bucket of slime known as the Bush administration]

“There is an element you can’t legislate, and that is shame."
Representative Jeff Flake, (R- Arizona) and a frequent critic of earmarks regarding the lack of action against this particular form of corruption
Despite Pledges, Congress Clings to Pet Projects
[How can representatives and senators model honor when the V-P charges his critics with treason? Question to White House: Have you no decency?]