Memorial Day Weekend

Ronald ReaganI was looking for something nice to say on this Memorial Day weekend. In my favorite quote books there wasn’t much between memory and virtues. But I did find this quote which really touched a nerve and I thought should be considered in our nation on this day we celebrate some heroes.

“The ultimate determinant in the struggle now going on for the world will not be bombs and rockets but a test of wills and ideas—a trial of spiritual resolve: the values we hold, the beliefs we cherish, and the ideals to which we are dedicated.” –Ronald Reagan. read more

Just Facts about U.S. Presidents

Ronald ReaganWith our upcoming Presidential Election coming this year, I thought you might be interested in a few fascinating facts about our past presidents.

The oldest President—Ronald Reagan

The youngest President—Theodore Roosevelt

The youngest to be elected President—John F. Kennedy

The shortest President—James Madison (5’4’’)

The heaviest President—William Taft 321 lbs. in 1911 (a new larger   bathtub was installed for him in the White House)

The first President to live in the White House at Washington, DC—John Adams read more

Happy Valentines Day, or More Backbiting?

Ronald ReaganAfter last nights GOP Presidential debate, some of us have broken hearts. It seemed like such a squabble, (which is defined as a “noisy altercation”), that I couldn’t tell who won, or who would likely lose support, or who had the best ideas, because of all the noise!

Aesop said it this way: “A husbandman who had a quarrelsome family, after having tried in vain to reconcile them by words, thought he might more readily prevail by example. So he called his sons and bade them lay a bundle of sticks before him. Then having tied them up into a fagot (a bundle, as in bundle of sticks), he told the lads, one after another, to take it up and break it. They all tried, but tried in vain. Then, untying the fagot, he gave them the sticks to break one by one. This they did with the greatest of ease. Then said the father: ‘Thus, my sons, as long as you remain united, you are a match for all your enemies; but differ and separate, and you are undone.’” read more

Justice Antonin Scalia Dies

Ronald ReaganThe longest serving Justice on the Supreme Court died today. He had been appointed by President Ronald Reagan. By all accounts he was not only wise and scholarly, he was friendly and had a good sense of humor. He caused the Court to consider carefully what they were deciding, and to look closely at the issues and the deciding factors. Not always apparent in Judges minds.

I suppose he liked this story about why you actually need a lawyer at times: “A businessman who had consulted his attorney for some legal advice ran into a friend to whom he recounted his experience. read more

President Reagan’s Gift for Humor

Ronald ReaganI think we need more humor at this time in the electioneering process. It seems that everyone takes everything a bit too seriously. I know it’s a serious endeavor to run for the office of President. At times the debates are almost overbearing. A sense of humor can take some of the bite off.

We could take a hint from Ronald Reagan, who, it seems, had a rejoinder for every serious occasion.For example, during the 1985 summit meeting in Geneva with Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan told the following story: read more