A randomly updated assortment of observations:
Bragging and complaining are two sides of the same coin: They’re both attempts to gain attention. One would have others praise them, the other to pity them. — Dec. 21, 2008
Desire and discontent are one and the same. One achieves; the other ruminates. — July 7, 2009
Hardship is the crucible of compassion. An easy life is an unsympathetic one. — July 23, 2009
Blessings are what you count when you don’t subscribe to the idea that you are solely responsible for your own success . — July 23, 2009
Political Apathy Destroys Life and Liberty
In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then… they came for me… And by that time there was no one left to speak up.
— Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)
Economic Policy Produces Real-World Consequences
In the United States, they came down first on the unions, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a union member;
And then they came for the mill workers, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a mill worker;
And then they came for the factory workers, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a factory worker;
And then they came for the white collar jobs, And by that time there was no one left to speak up for me;
At last they came for my children and grandchildren, And now they are paying the price for my mistakes.
— May 14, 2009, The Social Critic
