I heard this morning about several tragedies at amusement parks. Two young people were killed in the last few years on rides. Recently a girl's feet were literally cut off at the ankle from a cable that broke. The report said that there were over a thousand injuries reported in 2005. I don't remember it saying how many there were in 2006. I guess it takes some time to figure out what an injury "is."
What's the problem? Well, guess who's checking on the "safety" of the rides. (I think you already know.) If the amusement parks' insurance companies had to insure for all injuries and deaths, the rides would be safer. They would have to certify them. Of course, some of the rides might have to be "slowed down." Yes, some of the "thrill" would be gone. (Oh, get over it: it happens.) But at least the young people - and the old people, too - would be safer.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Georges Bernanos died today – 59 years ago
French writer Georges Bernanos was born on February 20, 1888 in Paris, France. He said, “The first sign of corruption in a society that is still alive is that the end justifies the means.” {1} [Amen!]... Mr. Bernanos died in 1948 in Paris, France.
U.S. writer William Cuthbert Faulkner was born on September 25, 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi. He said, “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” {1} [You gotta start somewhere.]... Mr. Faulkner died in 1962 in Byhalia, Mississippi.
German architect Walter Adolph Georg Gropius was born on May 18, 1883 in Berlin, Germany. He said, “Specialists are people who always repeat the same mistakes.” {1} [Perhaps it’s because they’re so focused.]... Mr. Gropius died in 1969 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
U.S. writer William Cuthbert Faulkner was born on September 25, 1897 in New Albany, Mississippi. He said, “The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” {1} [You gotta start somewhere.]... Mr. Faulkner died in 1962 in Byhalia, Mississippi.
German architect Walter Adolph Georg Gropius was born on May 18, 1883 in Berlin, Germany. He said, “Specialists are people who always repeat the same mistakes.” {1} [Perhaps it’s because they’re so focused.]... Mr. Gropius died in 1969 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Barry White died today – 4 years ago
U.S. singer Barry White was born as Barrence Eugene Carter on September 12, 1944 in Galveston, Texas. He said, “Disco deserved a better name, a beautiful name because it was a beautiful art form. It made the consumer beautiful. The consumer was the star.” {1} [Long live disco!]... Mr. White died in 2003 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. President (2nd) John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Quincy, Massachusetts. He said, “Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” {1} [Remember that we’re a constitutional republic, not a democracy.]... Mr. Adams died in 1826 in Quincy, Massachusetts.
U.S. President (3rd) Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. He said, “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” {1} [Remember that we’re a constitutional republic, not a democracy... Didn’t I just say that?]... Mr. Jefferson died in 1826 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
U.S. President (5th) James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He said, “In our domestic concerns we have ample cause of satisfaction. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters of the year have exceeded $17M.” {1} [Oh, for the good old days!]... Mr. Monroe died in 1831 in New York City, New York.
Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He said, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” {1} [There’s nothing quite like focusing.]... Mr. Vivekananda died in 1902 in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
French scientist Marie Curie was born as Maria Skłodowska on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Congress Poland. She said, “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” {2} [Well, she lived a long time ago.]... Ms. Curie died in 1934 in Sancellemoz, France.
Hungarian actress Eva Gabor was born on February 11, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary. She said, “I was the first actress in the family, and I am still the only actress in the family. I shouldn't be saying it, but it slipped out!” {2} [I won’t tell Zsa Zsa, will you?]... Ms. Gabor died in 1995 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: www.born-today.com
U.S. President (2nd) John Adams was born on October 30, 1735 in Quincy, Massachusetts. He said, “Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” {1} [Remember that we’re a constitutional republic, not a democracy.]... Mr. Adams died in 1826 in Quincy, Massachusetts.
U.S. President (3rd) Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Shadwell, Virginia. He said, “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” {1} [Remember that we’re a constitutional republic, not a democracy... Didn’t I just say that?]... Mr. Jefferson died in 1826 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
U.S. President (5th) James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He said, “In our domestic concerns we have ample cause of satisfaction. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters of the year have exceeded $17M.” {1} [Oh, for the good old days!]... Mr. Monroe died in 1831 in New York City, New York.
Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He said, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” {1} [There’s nothing quite like focusing.]... Mr. Vivekananda died in 1902 in Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal, India.
French scientist Marie Curie was born as Maria Skłodowska on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Congress Poland. She said, “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” {2} [Well, she lived a long time ago.]... Ms. Curie died in 1934 in Sancellemoz, France.
Hungarian actress Eva Gabor was born on February 11, 1921 in Budapest, Hungary. She said, “I was the first actress in the family, and I am still the only actress in the family. I shouldn't be saying it, but it slipped out!” {2} [I won’t tell Zsa Zsa, will you?]... Ms. Gabor died in 1995 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: www.born-today.com
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Are Ron Paul's Supporters Just Internet-Savvy?
Much is being made of the fact that Ron Paul has a strong presence on the internet even though he "finish[ed] with less than one-half of 1-percent as the 1988 Libertarian candidate." AppScout repeated it from wired.com.
Well, that was 1988. This is 2007. I would hope that, in almost 2 decades, more people would have gotten a bit wiser about politicians and political parties and...
Wired.com also said that “Ron Paul has something money can't buy.” Yeah, maybe like principles? I’m not saying to vote for him in 2008, but he does seem to support the U.S. Constitution better than anyone else... just in case you’re interested in that document.
Well, that was 1988. This is 2007. I would hope that, in almost 2 decades, more people would have gotten a bit wiser about politicians and political parties and...
Wired.com also said that “Ron Paul has something money can't buy.” Yeah, maybe like principles? I’m not saying to vote for him in 2008, but he does seem to support the U.S. Constitution better than anyone else... just in case you’re interested in that document.
Jim Morrison died today – 36 years ago
U.S. singer (in “The Doors”) Jim Morrison was born as James Douglas Morrison on December 8, 1943 in Melbourne, Florida. He said, “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.” {1} [Bless your friends!]... Mr. Morrison died in 1971 in Paris, France.
U.S. actor Jim Backus was born as James Gilmore Backus on February 25, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio. He said, “Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success.” {1} [What about his third and fourth and...?]... Mr. Backus died in 1989 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
U.S. actor Jim Backus was born as James Gilmore Backus on February 25, 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio. He said, “Many a man owes his success to his first wife and his second wife to his success.” {1} [What about his third and fourth and...?]... Mr. Backus died in 1989 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
Monday, July 2, 2007
Jean-Jacques Rousseau died today – 229 years ago
French writer & political theorist Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born on June 28, 1712 in Geneve, Switzerland. He said, “Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well.” {1} [Sounds like the theory of contrary thinking.]... Mr. Rousseau died in 1778 in Ermenonville, France.
English politician Joseph Chamberlain was born on July 8, 1836 in Camberwell, London, England. He said, “You cannot teach old dogs new tricks.” {1} [Speak… Speak for yourself.]... Mr. Chamberlain died in 1914.
U.S. pilot Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1898 in Atchison, Kansas. She said, “Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense.” {1} [Hmmmmm.]... Ms. Earhart died in 1937 over the western Pacific Ocean.
U.S. writer Gene Fowler was born as Eugene Devlan on March 8, 1890 in Denver, Colorado. He said, “He has a profound respect for old age. Especially when it's bottled.” {1} [Oh, my!]... Mr. Fowler died in 1960 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois. He said, “Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.” {1} [So imagine being brave... then do it!]... Mr. Hemingway died in 1961 in Ketchum, Idaho.
U.S. writer William McFee was born on June 15, 1881 in London, England. He said, “A young man must let his ideas grow, not be continually rooting them up to see how they are getting on.” {1} [Is that why my plants have a difficult time?]... Mr. McFee died in 1966.
U.S. actress Betty Grable was born as Elizabeth Ruth Grable on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri. She said, “I have got two reasons for success and I'm standing on both of them.” {1} [Stand up if you agree!]... Ms. Grable died in 1973 in Santa Monica, California.
Russian writer Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov was born on April 22, 1899 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He said, “The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.” {1} [But some will try... and make a good living at it.]... Mr. Nabokov died in 1977 in Montreux, Switzerland.
U.S. actress Lee Remick was born on December 14, 1935 in Quincy, Massachusetts. She said, “You can compare me with Greta Garbo. I have big feet, too.” {1} [And Greta thanks you very much... not!]... Ms. Remick died in 1991 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. actor James Maitland Stewart was born on May 20, 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He said, “Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners.” {2} [So show respect.]... Mr. Stewart died in 1997 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. writer Mario Puzo was born on October 15, 1921 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. He said, “A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a thousand men with guns.” {1} [Oh, my, my, my!]... Mr. Puzo died in 1999 in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: http://thinkexist.com
English politician Joseph Chamberlain was born on July 8, 1836 in Camberwell, London, England. He said, “You cannot teach old dogs new tricks.” {1} [Speak… Speak for yourself.]... Mr. Chamberlain died in 1914.
U.S. pilot Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1898 in Atchison, Kansas. She said, “Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense.” {1} [Hmmmmm.]... Ms. Earhart died in 1937 over the western Pacific Ocean.
U.S. writer Gene Fowler was born as Eugene Devlan on March 8, 1890 in Denver, Colorado. He said, “He has a profound respect for old age. Especially when it's bottled.” {1} [Oh, my!]... Mr. Fowler died in 1960 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. writer Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois. He said, “Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.” {1} [So imagine being brave... then do it!]... Mr. Hemingway died in 1961 in Ketchum, Idaho.
U.S. writer William McFee was born on June 15, 1881 in London, England. He said, “A young man must let his ideas grow, not be continually rooting them up to see how they are getting on.” {1} [Is that why my plants have a difficult time?]... Mr. McFee died in 1966.
U.S. actress Betty Grable was born as Elizabeth Ruth Grable on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri. She said, “I have got two reasons for success and I'm standing on both of them.” {1} [Stand up if you agree!]... Ms. Grable died in 1973 in Santa Monica, California.
Russian writer Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov was born on April 22, 1899 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He said, “The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.” {1} [But some will try... and make a good living at it.]... Mr. Nabokov died in 1977 in Montreux, Switzerland.
U.S. actress Lee Remick was born on December 14, 1935 in Quincy, Massachusetts. She said, “You can compare me with Greta Garbo. I have big feet, too.” {1} [And Greta thanks you very much... not!]... Ms. Remick died in 1991 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. actor James Maitland Stewart was born on May 20, 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He said, “Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners.” {2} [So show respect.]... Mr. Stewart died in 1997 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. writer Mario Puzo was born on October 15, 1921 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. He said, “A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a thousand men with guns.” {1} [Oh, my, my, my!]... Mr. Puzo died in 1999 in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: http://thinkexist.com
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Михаил Александрович Бакунин died today – 131 years ago
Russian revolutionary Михаил Александрович Бакунин, or Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin, was born on May 30, 1814 in Pryamukhino, Russian Empire. He said, “People go to church for the same reasons they go to a tavern: to stupefy [mystify, amaze, or astonish] themselves, to forget their misery, to imagine themselves, for a few minutes anyway, free and happy.” {1} [Wonder which one he attended?]... Mr. Бакунин died in 1876 in Berne, Switzerland.
U.S. writer Harriet Beecher Stowe was born on June 14, 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She is best known for writing “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” She said, “Human nature is above all things lazy.” {1} [Well, I lay in my hammock to philosophize!]... Ms. Stowe died in 1896 in Hartford, Connecticut.
French composer Alfred Éric Leslie “Erik” Satie was born on May 17, 1866 in Honfleur, France. He said, “When I was young, I was told: 'You'll see, when you're fifty.' I am fifty and I haven't seen a thing.” {1} [Perhaps he needed glasses.]... Mr. Satie died in 1925 in Paris, France.
English writer Charles Percy Snow was born on October 15, 1905 in Leicester, England. He said, “Civilization is hideously fragile; there's not much between us and the horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.” {2} [Probably truer than we would like to think possible.]... Mr. Snow died in 1980 in London, England.
U.S. engineer & architect R. Buckminster Fuller was born on February 12, 1895 in Milton, Massachusetts. He said, “By 2000, politics will simply fade away. We will not see any political parties.” {1} [Hallelujah! Oh, wait... it didn’t happen, did it?]... Mr. Fuller died in 1983 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. actor Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was born on August 6, 1917 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He said, “People think I have an interesting walk. Hell, I'm just trying to hold my gut in.” {1} [That story works for me, too.]... Mr. Mitchum died in 1997 in Santa Barbara, California.
U.S. actor Walter Matthau was born as Walter John Matthow on October 1, 1920 in New York City, New York. He said, “I never mind my wife having the last word. In fact, I'm delighted when she gets to it." {2} [No comment!]... Mr. Matthau died in 2000 in Santa Monica, California.
U.S. actor Marlon Brando was born on April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. He said, “An actor's a guy who, if you ain't talking about him, ain't listening.” {1} [Is an actor a one-issue type of guy?]... Mr. Brando died in 2004 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: www.born-today.com
U.S. writer Harriet Beecher Stowe was born on June 14, 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She is best known for writing “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” She said, “Human nature is above all things lazy.” {1} [Well, I lay in my hammock to philosophize!]... Ms. Stowe died in 1896 in Hartford, Connecticut.
French composer Alfred Éric Leslie “Erik” Satie was born on May 17, 1866 in Honfleur, France. He said, “When I was young, I was told: 'You'll see, when you're fifty.' I am fifty and I haven't seen a thing.” {1} [Perhaps he needed glasses.]... Mr. Satie died in 1925 in Paris, France.
English writer Charles Percy Snow was born on October 15, 1905 in Leicester, England. He said, “Civilization is hideously fragile; there's not much between us and the horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.” {2} [Probably truer than we would like to think possible.]... Mr. Snow died in 1980 in London, England.
U.S. engineer & architect R. Buckminster Fuller was born on February 12, 1895 in Milton, Massachusetts. He said, “By 2000, politics will simply fade away. We will not see any political parties.” {1} [Hallelujah! Oh, wait... it didn’t happen, did it?]... Mr. Fuller died in 1983 in Los Angeles, California.
U.S. actor Robert Charles Durman Mitchum was born on August 6, 1917 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He said, “People think I have an interesting walk. Hell, I'm just trying to hold my gut in.” {1} [That story works for me, too.]... Mr. Mitchum died in 1997 in Santa Barbara, California.
U.S. actor Walter Matthau was born as Walter John Matthow on October 1, 1920 in New York City, New York. He said, “I never mind my wife having the last word. In fact, I'm delighted when she gets to it." {2} [No comment!]... Mr. Matthau died in 2000 in Santa Monica, California.
U.S. actor Marlon Brando was born on April 3, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. He said, “An actor's a guy who, if you ain't talking about him, ain't listening.” {1} [Is an actor a one-issue type of guy?]... Mr. Brando died in 2004 in Los Angeles, California.
{1} Source: www.brainyquote.com
{2} Source: www.born-today.com
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