Old Fogey's Quotes for Sunday

"At some point, you've got to leave and go on to the next place."
Anthony H. Cordesman, an analyst for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington
Iraqi Leader Plans Security Push
[I'm not a military analyst but I can recognize reality. Most people can. Thus King George the Decider has to work harder and harder to find appointees who share his delusions--or at least will say they share them to enhance their job security.]

"The Bush administration has placed more emphasis on oil and gas than access rights for hunters."
Ronald L. Schmeits, second vice president of the NRA
NRA's Hunters Wary of Limited Land Access
[Now the NRA is finding itself among the screwed by King George the Gaseous. Nobody and nothing comes ahead of aiding the oil industry. It must seem like a bad dream to some NRA members to be grouped with tree-huggers, fighters for economic justice, and bleeding-heart liberals.]

"He's the Rocky Balboa of 2008."
Chris Lehane, a former Gore adviser, referring to the possibility that the former vice-president might run in 2008
Gore Leaves Door Ajar for 2008
[He certainly deserves the right to say, "I told you so." It also would be great to have an adult for president. The major reservation I have is the possibility of Gore turning into Pinocchio as soon as he announces.]

“The key is to just try to realize you are going to have low-maintenance and high-maintenance chairs and you have to work with both.”
Tom Daschle, the former Senate majority leader
Leadership Tries to Restrain Fiefs in New Congress
[Pelosi has quite a challenge balancing the demands of fellow Democrats eager to enjoy their return to power. Will she be a den mother or a dominatrix? Probably some of both--a hell of a good Leader of the House.]

"Never has good weather felt so bad. Never have flowers inspired so much fear. Never has the warm caress of a sunbeam seemed so ominous. The weather is sublime, it's glorious, it's the end of the world."
Joel Achenbach, WaPo staff writer
March in January! Or Is It Mayday?
[This winter has been a major test my concern for others. I like to think of myself as a generous person. BUT I absolutely detest, abhor, despise, and generally dislike winter. It has been glorious going outside in shirtsleeves in January. I'm also at the age that exempts me from disasterous climate change, according to most computer models of global warming. I must be honest. I might not be as concerned about my carbon emissions, if it were not for a grandchild on the way. Agen and Mrs. F have done a lot to raise my awareness of the issue, and this pregnancy finally got me to changing light bulbs.]

“We can and we should help others to help themselves. But the fate of responsible men and women everywhere, in the final decision, rests in their own hands, not in ours.”
Former President Gerald Ford
The Timely Death of Gerald Ford
[It is ironic that Ford's two most politically damaging actions turned out to be among his best. Most sitting presidents would be appalled to be the "one who lost the war." Yet his disengagement from Vietnam prevented more senseless bloodshed. I was infuriated by his pardon of Nixon, but in hindsight, whatever the motive, it saved us from further distraction and bitterness. History will be much kinder to him than King George the Adolescent.]