re: The Greatest Moments in Presidential History

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Knowing what he meant and what he actually said are two different things.

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But the former is more important than the latter.

Many of the problems we face today are a direct result of FDRs domestic policies.

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Knowing what he meant and what he actually said are two different things. I know what he meant. I'm just saying its a stupid quote that sounds good until you think about it and realize it doesn't make any logical sense.

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Do you really think anyone expected Mr. Gorbachev to personally tear down the wall?

Wouldn't it have made more sense to say, "Mr. Gorbachev, have this wall torn down"?

Yet it's still a great quote - regardless of if, while grammatically correct, it was literally ridiculous.

Sometimes we shouldn't take things so literally.

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I was not really into politics at the time, but wasn't it a foregone conclusion that the Berlin Wall was coming down when Reagan made his speech?

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I wouldn't say it was a foregone conclusion, but I was in Berlin the summer after Reagan gave the speech. I remember walking along the wall, near the Reichstag. As I was walking along, I looked up at one of the East German guard towers that appeared at regular intervals looming over the wall. I noticed the guards intently looking towards West Berlin through binoculars - towards the Reichstag. I wondered what could possibly capture their attention to that extent and looked over and saw what was obviously an American family walking along. How could I instantly recognize them as American? The short shorts the teenage girls were wearing. The binoculars made perfect sense in that instant.

Walking a little further, I came to the next tower. From it I could hear rock and roll playing. I waved up at them, and they waved back. It occurred to me at that moment that it wouldn't be long. Now, granted, I was probably influenced by the speech, but going there and experiancing it personally brought it home.

But I also remember it was almost two years later when the east Germans opened the border with Hungary I was still sort of shocked. I may have expected it, but it was still something of a shock when it actually happened. And from there, it all tumbled down rather quickly.

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Please tell me that you are just stirring shite and you aren't as stupid regarding history and economics as you appear.

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And what did I say to make you think this?

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CLINTON: I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.

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FIFY

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I was talking about the logic behind the phrasing "nothing to fear but fear itself".

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If you had the brains of a rock you would understand the meaning and intent of that phrase. You don't so you try to cover up with bland obscenities. Let me guess, you think that Reagan's "It's Morning in America" commercials were about daybreak?

Life is deeper than you understand isn't it? I'm not surprised.

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If you had the brains of a rock you would understand the meaning and intent of that phrase.

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I know what he meant by the phrase. I'm saying the phrase itself is not logical.

For example...

A lot of people say "I could care less". We know what they mean. They mean "I couldn't care less".

We know that they mean they couldn't care less, but it doesn't change the fact that they are incorrect when they say they could care less.

It's an impossible statement. It's a paradox.

But whatever, I'm out. Enjoy your Friday night.