"Let's begin with a simple premise: Nobody likes paying taxes, particularly in times of economic stress. But most Americans meet their responsibilities because they understand that it's an obligation of citizenship, necessary to pay the costs of our common defense and our mutual well-being."<< MORE >>

If torture is really debatable, does that mean someone might one day justify in court why they kidnapped someone, locked them in their basement and utilized stress techniques on them for days at a time? Will we reach a day where a judge in the United States of America might entertain that debate for longer than five minutes? Is that the country we want to live in?<< MORE >>

I don't know if my example inspired others to keep up or served as a reminder we don't need someone else to do what we could if we simply got up off of the couch. << MORE >>

If I had a television station, I would make it a news station. 24 hours a day. If I could sell people on the idea I was providing 48 hours worth of information a day- that would be even better! I could vent what I think on a daily basis if I had a television station.<< MORE >>

I don't want to detract from the video too much other than to say: its got a nice beginning, middle and end.  I love the creativity and the internal sense of closure. 

Nice work. 

        

(1564) William Shakespeare- There's an ongoing debate most people don't care about arguing whether or not he was the guy who wrote the stuff he got credit for writing. I don't really care. He got the credit and it's too late to reassign the credit. Even if proof was inconclusive it would only make the headlines for a week or two (maybe) and then everyone would be back to talking about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Then some a-hole would stand up to correct the conversation and everyone would look at him like an a-hole.<< MORE >>

Here the term 'thirst' includes not only desire for, and attachment to, sense-pleasures, wealth and power, but also desire for, and attachment to, ideas and ideals, views, opinions, theories, conceptions and beliefs. According to the Buddha's analysis, all the troubles and strife in the world, from little personal quarrels in families to great wars between nations and countries, arise out of this selfish 'thirst'.<< MORE >>

(1937) Jack Nicholson- "Easy Rider," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The Shining," "Batman" and "A Few Good Men"- you could call it a career right there and still be better than 90% of the actors working today.<< MORE >>

[81-1]  Therefore it is necessary for us to speak to you, since this is the doctrine for the perfect.  If, now, you desire to become perfect you shall observe these things; if not, your name is 'Ignorant,' since it is impossible for a wise man to dwell with a fool, for the wise man is perfect in all wisdom.  To the fool, however, the good and bad are the same--for 'the wise man will be nourished by the truth' and 'will be like a tree growing by the meandering stream'--seeing that there are some who, although having wings, rush upon the visible things, things that are far from the truth.  For that which guides them, the fire, will give them an illusion of truth, and will shine on them with a perishable beauty, and it will imprison them in a dark sweetness and captivate them with fragrant pleasure.  And it will blind them with insatiable lust and burn their souls and become for them like a stake in their heart which they can never dislodge.  And like a bit in the mouth it leads them according to its own desire.  It has fettered them with its chains and bound all their limbs with the bitter bond of lust for those visible things that will decay and change and swerve by impulse.  They have always been attracted downwards: as they are killed, they are assimilated to all the beasts of the perishable realm.

        

The root of all evil is ignorance and false views. It is an undeniable fact that as long as there is doubt, perplexity, wavering, no progress is possible. It is also equally undeniable that there must be doubt as long as one does not understand or see clearly. << MORE >>

"The copies, the copies," said I hurriedly. "We are going to examine them. There"--and I held towards him the fourth quadruplicate. "I would prefer not to," he said, and gently disappeared behind the screen. For a few moments I was turned into a pillar of salt, standing at the head of my seated column of clerks. Recovering myself, I advanced towards the screen, and demanded the reason for such extraordinary conduct. "Why do you refuse?" "I would prefer not to." With any other man I should have flown outright into a dreadful passion, scorned all further words, and thrust him ignominiously from my presence. But there was something about Bartleby that not only strangely disarmed me, but in a wonderful manner touched and disconcerted me. I began to reason with him.<< MORE >>

The Indian Men, when young, are Hunters and Warriors; when old, Counselors; for all their Government is by Counsel of the Sages; there is no Force, there are no Prisons, no Officers to compel Obedience, or inflict Punishment. Hence they generally study Oratory, the best Speaker having the most Influence.<< MORE >>

Yesterday a canoe came to the ship with six young men; five of them came on board, whom I ordered detained, and have them with me; I then sent ashore to one of the houses, and took seven women and three children: this I did that the Indians might tolerate their captivity better with their company...<< MORE >>

Political correctness is supposed to be linked with tolerance; I'm sure originally it was meant to apply equally to everyone. But now that it's been commandeered for political agendas, it doesn't apply to everybody anymore.<< MORE >>

(1867) Wilbur Wright- It's a helluva thing leaving the ground.<< MORE >>

(1935) Loretta Lynn- She's just a coal miner's daughter, but she made a lot of cash from being thrown in that lot. A key example of making lemonade from lemons.<< MORE >>

I don't know how much of what is said in this video is true, but it's only 10 minutes and worth considering.  Is it unbelievable to think men still believe they can control the world? 



Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution says Congress has the power to coin money and assign its value.  Why does the United States Federal Reserve (a public entity controlled privately) currently exercise that power? 

Questions don't hurt.

        

We don't live in a democracy! I only say it because many people don't seem to get that point. It's a critical point when we address the question: 'Is this as good as it gets?'<< MORE >>

It's hard to argue with someone when they're right and Louis CK is right in this clip.

        

Bill Hicks was a genius. Comedians like him lead me to believe theirs can be the modern profession of Socrates. Hicks didn't hide his philosophy in small groups. He was out on the streets sharing what he thought of the world openly with anyone willing to listen. Long live the spirit of Bill Hicks!<< MORE >>