“I don’t think anybody could have predicted that these people would take an airplane and slam it into the World Trade Center.”
-Former National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, May 16, 2002
“I don’t think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees.”
-President George W. Bush, September 1, 2005
“I think many realized how vulnerable our ports were, but didn’t [...]

“The Vice of conservatives is believing that conservatism is a morality test; the vice of liberals is believing that liberalism is an intelligence test”
-Gruntled Center (although I don’t know if they came up with it.)

“All I’m saying is the inherent authority argument in its application to me seems to have no boundaries when it comes to executive decisions in a time of war, it deals the Congress and courts out, Mr. Attorney General.”
-Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

What. A. Dick.
“Canada is a sweet country. It is like your retarded cousin you see at Thanksgiving and sort of pat him on the head. You know, he’s nice but you don’t take him seriously. That’s Canada.”
But, you know, he’s just kidding…

For what it’s worth (to those who care) comes this catch from Andrew Sullivan:
“The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgement of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all [...]

For a Friday diversion, check out the Shakespearean Insulter. But only if you can handle being told things like:
“Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth.” —Taken from: Hamlet.
That Shakespeare could really turn a phrase, huh?
The title of this post? Taken from: Henry IV, part 2.

“Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government[.]”
“To the extent the federal government didn’t fully do its job right, I take responsibility[.]” — George Bush
Associated Press: Bush Takes Responsibility for Blunders

“I think the progress we’re making is significant. I think the performance, in general, at least in terms of the information I’ve received from locals, is definitely very impressive.”
-Dick Cheney on the relief effort
…um…Dick…well…what information are you receiving exactly?
And then, this…
As Cheney was speaking to reporters, a passerby shouted obscenities at him. Cheney dismissed it, [...]

CNN:
“Our government failed those people in the beginning, and I take it now there is no dispute about it,” Clinton told CNN. “One hundred percent of the people recognize that — that it was a failure.”
-Former President Bill Clinton
Well, maybe not 100% of the people, but let’s just say a good majority. Agreed?

Peter Jennings died Sunday due to complications from lung cancer.
This is what he said about anchoring the evening news:
“There are a lot of people who think our job is to reassure the public every night that their home, their community and their nation is safe… I don’t subscribe to that at all. I subscribe [...]

Guess who had the following to say about Bush’s suggestion that intelligent design should be taught in school:

“I think I would probably tailor that a little more than what the president has suggested… I’m not comfortable with intelligent design being taught in the science classroom.”
“What we should be teaching are the problems and holes — [...]

From the 7 time Tour de France champion.
“Polls say people are much more afraid of cancer than of a plane flying into their house or a bomb or any other form of terrorism. It is a priority for the American public.”
Oh, and then the speculation begins…
That kind of tough talk has people suggesting Armstrong’s next [...]

“This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone who asks, stand up for the stupid and the crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to [...]

This comes from an outstanding commentary on Islam by the author of “The Trouble with Islam Today.”
“Why is it that in diverse societies, those who oppose diversity of thought often feel more comfortable getting vocal than those who embrace it?”
Here’s still more wisdom from the article:
Why do we Muslims hang on to the mantra that [...]

I knew this would happen.

“Even though I’m a tranquil guy now at this stage of my life, I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious, of traitors.”
- George H. W. Bush speaking at a dedication ceremony for the [...]

“Our military is confronting the terrorists, along with our allies, in Iraq and Afghanistan so that innocent civilians will not have to confront terrorist violence in Washington or London or anywhere else in the world.”
–Dick Cheney September 17, 2003
White House: Vice President’s Remarks at 2003 Air Force Convention

Tom Friedman sez:
Because there is no obvious target to retaliate against, and because there are not enough police to police every opening in an open society, either the Muslim world begins to really restrain, inhibit and denounce its own extremists - if it turns out that they are behind the London bombings - or the [...]

Where will Britain be in a month? Will Blair be Giuliani or Zapatero?

George Washington is the man!