Reprinted from OWD 2/21/2011 Today is very special as we celebrate the birthday of the founder of our nation and first president of the United States, George Washington. So it seems fitting to remember him by publishing some of his more famous quotations. And it also seems appropriate, based upon the political mess we find ourselves in today, to provide some less than famous progressive quotes made by people who seem at odds with American interests, principles and sovereignty.
“…(I)t is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness….indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our Country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.” – George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address to the nation.
‘We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us.” – Barack Obama’s radio interview, aired by Univision, October 25 th, 2010.
“The name of AMERICAN, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” – George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address to the nation
“For the first time in my life, I am finally proud of my country” – Michele Obama on the campaign trail, 2008.
“My ardent desire is, and my aim has been, to comply strictly with all our engagements, foreign and domestic; but to keep the United States free from political connections with every other country, to see them independent of all and under the influence of none.” – George Washington’s letter to Patrick Henry, October 9, 1775
“This would be the time’ because I think you really need to bring China into the creation of a new world order, financial world order.” George Soros in interview with Financial Times, 2009.
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” – General George Washington Headquarters West Point, August 17, 1779
“It’s not $100 million, it’s $300 million, and I’m proud of it and will keep fighting for it,” – Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) of Louisiana, responding to reporters on whether she had cast a vote with Democratic leadership on healthcare in exchange for $100 million in federal aid to her state.
“I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.” – George Washington’s letter to Robert Morris on April 12, 1786
“…many of the founding fathers understood that the only way they could really deal with this question of slavery is to not deal with this question of slavery – to compromise by saying as little as possible. “ – James Horton, Ask The Experts on PBS.org.
“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” – George Washington’s address to officers of the Army 1783
“I don’t want the folks who created the mess to do a lot of talking!” – President Obama at a campaign rally for Virginia Gov. hopeful Creigh Deeds.
“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.” – George Washington’s fifth annual address to Congress, December 13, 1793.
“Enablement of Islam in North America, meaning establishing an effective and stable Islamic movement led by the Muslim Brotherhood which adopts Muslims causes domestically and globally, and works to expand the observant Muslim base, aims at unifying and directing Muslims efforts, presents Islam as a civilization alternative and supports the global Islamic state where ever it is”. – Muslim Brotherhood
“It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one.” – George Washington’s letter to his niece Harriet Washington, October 30, 1791
“Here’s my assessment of not just the vote in Massachusetts but the mood around the country: The same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office. People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because of what’s happened in the last year or two years but what’s happened over the last eight years.” – Obama’s interview with ABC News.
“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.” – George Washington’s address to a committee of Roman Catholics, March 15, 1790
“In today’s world, however, the number of children in a family is a matter of profound public concern. The law regulates other highly personal matters. For example, no one may lawfully have more than one spouse at a time. Why should the law not be able to prevent a person from having more than two children?” – John Holdren, the Director of White House Office Science and Technology Policy, quote from his 1973 book Human Ecology: Problems and Solutions.
“Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.” – George Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.
“We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it” – Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s remarks at the 2010 Legislative Conference for the National Association of Counties addressing the 2700 page Obama Care bill.
“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.” – Washington, 1795.
“The original constitution, I think it is an imperfect document, and I think it is a document that reflects some deep flaws in American culture, the colonial culture of the nation at that time. I think we can say that the Constitution reflected an enormous blind spot in this culture and that the framers had that same blind spot.” - Obama interview on Chicago public radio WBEZ, Sept 6, 2001.
“The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves. “- George Washington’s general Order to the U. S. Army, July 2, 1776.
US Debt Clock as of today, Washington’s birthday.
Sources:
http://www.obamawhitehousediaries.com/
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html
http://americanhistory.about.com/cs/georgewashington/a/quotewashington.htm
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/07/george_washington_the_culturis.html
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp
http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/Washington/index3.htm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Firelock/keith-olbermann-countdown-over_n_812506_74763469.html
http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=26184
http://quotationsbook.com/quote/45234/#axzz1EbVxNWUd
http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/1997.html
http://www.foundationsmag.com/civility.html
http://www.hillsdale.edu/KirbyCenter/resources/constitutionreader/intro/default.asp
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,721587,00.html
http://quotationsbook.com/quote/44797/#axzz1EbVxNWUd
https://sites.google.com/site/diaryoftheobamawhitehouse/the-thesis
http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-experts-02-04.htm
http://www.youtube.com/user/craigcovello#p/u/18/ohoEVykW2vc
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An equally comprehensive list could be made of right wing quotes, of course. You don’t think Sarah “Small Towns are Pro-America” Palin has attempted to “alienate…portion(s) of our Country from the rest”? This sort of pick-and-choose silliness does nothing to solve our problems.
Just wanted to say cheers for another brilliant post.
Very nice .