Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year to all!

Quote of the Day----goodreads

There is an abiding beauty which may be appreciated by those who will see things as they are and who will ask for no reward except to see.

Vera Brittain


English writer Vera Brittain (born December 29, 1893) published her bestselling memoir Testament of Youth in 1933. Since then, it has been adapted into a five-part television miniseries, a fifteen-part radio dramatization, and a feature film starring Hayley Atwell and Dominic West. 

Dana Milbank's 12-24-15 editorial

If you are wringing your hands over the trash mouth of the leading Republican candidate, wring no more.  Dana's editorial of 12-24-15 is superb!  Dana's use of Yiddish throughout is priceless - let's see how long it takes trash mouth to "hate" Dana.

Great writing, Dana.  Thanks!

Quote of the day-----goodreads

When you read a book, you hold another's mind in your hands.

James Burke


Happy birthday, James Burke! In 1973, the British broadcaster and author accurately predicted the widespread use of computers for business and personal applications. One of his more recent predictions? A post-scarcity economy driven by nanotechnology by the year 2043. 

Dana Milbank, Washington Post syndicated columnist

All I am going to state is that you should read today's column by Dana Milbank, Washington Post syndicated columnist, today being 12-10-15.

Amen brother!

Quote of the Day------Goodreads

A book, too, can be a star, a living fire to lighten the darkness, leading out into the expanding universe.


Madeleine L'Engle



On her 40th birthday, Madeleine L'Engle (born November 29, 1918) tried to give up writing. She was drowning in rejection letters and unable to help support her family. The writing break didn't last long, though—L'Engle couldn't stop jotting down her ideas. Five years later, she finally found success with her beloved science fiction classic, A Wrinkle in Time. 

Martin Niemoller

"Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler, and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.
He is, perhaps, best known for the following quotation - which Americans should very carefully consider, regarding some of the current political folks wanting to become our next President.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me."

We must remember our past, those that stood up against tyranny in all forms, and remain faithful to the words written on the Statue of Liberty "Give me your tired, your poor......."  With the exception of Native Americans, we are all immigrants.