Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Recently I have been asked about the skill of writing and what makes for an exceptional writer. In the engrossing discussion that ensued a distinction was made between writers and wordsmiths. For the purposes of introducing this subject matter, I suppose this could be best characterized as the line between writing for oneself as [...]
Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the Kitchener Record and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, ”Sorry, fellers, I have some bad news, the mule died last night.”
Curtis & Leroy replied, “Well, then just give us our money back..” [...]
Here are ten quotes from five of our country’s earliest Prime Ministers: Alexander Mackenzie (1873-1878), Sir John Abbott (1891-1892), Sir John Thompson (1892-1894), Sir Mackenzie Bowell (1894-1896), and Sir Charles Tupper (1896).
I have always held those political opinions which point to the universal brotherhood of man, no matter in what rank of life he [...]
. . . one people, great in territory, great in resources, great in enterprise, great in credit, great in capital. [a 1860 speech summed up his lifelong political creed and political goals] - Sir John A Macdonald
If I had influence over the minds of the people of Canada, any power over their intellect, I would [...]
Sir John A. MacDonald is Canada’s first Prime Minister. He was a grand and colourful character whose accomplishments forged a nation from sea to sea.
To date, our compilation of political quotes has but two gems from Sir John A.:
Politics is a game requiring great coolness.
Anybody may support me when I am right. What [...]
We are taking a hiatus from writing in this By George Journal for a couple of weeks as the family is making a cross-Florida State odyssey. We’re looking forward to driving the beach of Daytona, visiting the Kennedy Space Centre, taking in SeaWorld and other attractions around Orlando, splashing in the waves of Marco [...]
President Barack Obama, and former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were traveling by car in Kansas. A tornado comes along and whirls them up into the air and tosses them many miles away. They fall into a daze.
When they come to and extract themselves from the vehicle, they realize they’re in [...]
Here is a tongue-in-cheek list of rules for those who wish to maintain a skeptical outlook.
1. Do not let what you think get in the way of what you see.
2. Do not let what you see determine what you think, for appearances are deceptive.
3. Be omnivorous in your tastes.
4. The [...]
In politics, stupidity is not a handicap. - Napoleon Bonaparte
In politics… never retreat, never retract… never admit a mistake. - Napoleon Bonaparte
If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing. - Napoleon Bonaparte
Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues. - Napoleon Bonaparte
There are only two [...]
Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived. - Abraham Lincoln
The ballot is stronger than the bullet. - Abraham Lincoln
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his [...]