Linda Ketner on progress in gay rights.

“America is changing more quickly than the government. They are lagging behind the crowd. But if I remember my poli sci from college, isn’t that the way it always works?” – Linda Ketner on progress in gay rights.

Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)

“Words, when written, crystallize history; their very structure gives permanence to the unchangeable past.” – Francis Bacon, essayist, philosopher, and statesman (1561-1626)

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) American politician and academic

“Somehow liberals have been unable to acquire from life what conservatives seem to be endowed with at birth: namely, a healthy skepticism of the powers of government agencies to do good.”

  —  Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (1927-2003) American politician and academic

Anonymous

“It is not uncommon for slight acquaintances to get married, but a couple really have to know each other to get divorced.”

 —  Anonymous

Jack Lynch, English professor, author (b. 1967)

“Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over Windows versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs.” – Jack Lynch, English professor, author (b. 1967)

Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary

“It’s like declaring one for a hurricane. It means we can release funds and take other measures. The hurricane may not actually hit.” – Janet Napolitano, the homeland security secretary, declaring a public health emergency on the swine flu outbreak.

Charles Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832)

“The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; as a feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity in a vacuum.” – Charles Caleb Colton, author and clergyman (1780-1832)

George Chapman; The Tragedy of Bussy D’Ambois; 1607

“Dames maritorious ne’er were meritorious.” – George Chapman; The Tragedy of Bussy D’Ambois; 1607.

Christina Fair, of the RAND Corporation

“I don’t know what the Taliban’s game plan is, but what seems apparent is the state has no game plan.” – Christina Fair, of the RAND Corporation, on the Pakistan government’s paralysis in the face of Taliban advances.

Confucius, philosopher and teacher (c. 551-478 BCE)

“Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” – Confucius, philosopher and teacher (c. 551-478 BCE)

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