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Birthday Sunday

Happy birthday to Will Rogers, born in 1879. He was named in the Guinness Book of World Records for lariat tricks--he was a vaudeville performer--he wrote more than 4,000 newspaper columns--he made 71 movies--he hosted one of the most popular radio programs of his day--he traveled around the world three times--and he ran for president in 1928. Not a bad list of accomplishments.


Here are just a few of his more memorable and timeless quotes:

I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.

I bet after seeing us, George Washington would sue us for calling him "father."

It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so.

Now if there is one thing that we do worse than any other nation, it is try and manage somebody else's affairs.

People's minds are changed through observation and not through argument.

The 1928 Republican Convention opened with a prayer. If the Lord can see His way clear to bless the Republican Party the way it's been carrying on, then the rest of us ought to get it without even asking.

Comments

Fresh Hell said…
Heh! Those quotes are great!

I love when something said long ago sustains relevance in the present. There is something sadly comforting about how things don't change all that much.
9:20 AM
Mrs. G. said…
Isn't he the guy that said there's a sucker born every minute. If he is, he was referring to me. Big sucker. Day four, baby, and you are cooking with gas.
11:54 AM
Maria said…
My Da was a huge Will R fan and our family grew up with his quotes. I think he was brilliant.

And while I am thinking of it, your story has stayed with me. I couldn't figure out why exactly, I liked your story but I am not inclined to hold on to things in my head like that.

I figured it out. Your writing reminds me a LOT of Rebecca Barry's "Later, at the bar."

You should read it, Scout...I hope it pans out for you.
12:14 PM
dive said…
Happy birthday, Will!
He was wonderful.

"Income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf."

"You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects."

So many great quotes. What a splendid mind the man had.
3:08 PM
Gina said…
He was a class act, that Will Rogers!
5:03 PM
Scout said…
Maria, thank you! I will check out her writing and see what you mean.
12:10 PM
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