You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.
-- Harlan Ellison
Friday, March 29, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Parkinson's Law
Karl's version of Parkinson's Law: Work expands to exceed the time allotted it.
Parkinson's law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". It is sometimes applied to the growth of bureaucracy in an organization.
Parkinson's law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion". It is sometimes applied to the growth of bureaucracy in an organization.
Monday, March 18, 2019
Friday, March 15, 2019
Inherit the Earth
Maybe Jesus was right when he said that the meek shall inherit the earth -- but they inherit very small plots, about six feet by three.
-- Lazarus Long
-- Lazarus Long
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Doing it Right
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Knowledge vs Wisdom
Knowledge tells us that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom prevents us from putting it into a fruit salad.
-- Miles Kington, British humorist as reported in Heinz Hellin's letter to Smithsonian Sept 2003
-- Miles Kington, British humorist as reported in Heinz Hellin's letter to Smithsonian Sept 2003
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Monday, March 11, 2019
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Right Is Right
“Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”
--- William Penn
--- William Penn
The Two Most Important Days
The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.
-- Mark Twain
-- Mark Twain
People You Don't Like
“Never waste a minute thinking about people you don’t like.”
-- Dwight D Eisenhower
-- Dwight D Eisenhower
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
The Second Law of Thermodynamics:
If you think things are in a mess now, just wait!
-- Jim Warner
If you think things are in a mess now, just wait!
-- Jim Warner
Using Your Talents
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
-- Henry Van Dyke
-- Henry Van Dyke
Declaration of War to Japan
Declaration of War to Japan
speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
December 8th 1941
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker,
members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy -
the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately
attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The
United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its
United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its
government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance
of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air
squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island
of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and
his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal
reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply
stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing
diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war
or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of
Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was
deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During
the intervening time the Japanese Government has
deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false
statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused
severe damage to American naval and military forces.
I regret to tell you that very many American lives have
been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported
torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive
extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of
yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people
of the United States have already formed their opinions
and well understand the implications to the very life
and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the
Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be
taken for our defense, that always will our whole
nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this
premeditated invasion, the American people, in their
righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and
of the people when I assert that we will not only defend
ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain
that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our
people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the un-bounding
determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.
So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked
and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941,
a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese
Empire.
-From
http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Franklin_D_Roosevelt/index.htm
Please note:
"The Declaration of War to Japan speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
featured is in the form of extracts, passages or lines from the
Declaration of War to Japan speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt."
speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
December 8th 1941
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker,
members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy -
the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately
attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The
United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its
United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its
government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance
of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air
squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island
of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and
his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal
reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply
stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing
diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war
or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of
Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was
deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During
the intervening time the Japanese Government has
deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false
statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused
severe damage to American naval and military forces.
I regret to tell you that very many American lives have
been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported
torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive
extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of
yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people
of the United States have already formed their opinions
and well understand the implications to the very life
and safety of our nation. As Commander-in-Chief of the
Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be
taken for our defense, that always will our whole
nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this
premeditated invasion, the American people, in their
righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and
of the people when I assert that we will not only defend
ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain
that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our
people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the un-bounding
determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.
So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked
and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941,
a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese
Empire.
-From
http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Franklin_D_Roosevelt/index.htm
Please note:
"The Declaration of War to Japan speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
featured is in the form of extracts, passages or lines from the
Declaration of War to Japan speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt."
You Decide Where You Will Go
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Chism's Law of Completion:
Chism's Law of Completion:
The amount of time required to complete a government project is precisely equal to the length of time already spent on it.
The amount of time required to complete a government project is precisely equal to the length of time already spent on it.
Computers and Telephones
I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.
Bjarne Stroustrup, a computer science professor, designer of C++ programming language (1950 )
Friday, March 1, 2019
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