WIST Quotations

Schieffer, Bob -- “Free Speech,” CBS Evening News (14 Sep 2006)

Dave — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 16:09:49 +0000

Democracies have no business running secret prisons. That’s what our enemies do. If we are in a battle for the hearts and minds of people around the world, as the administration says we are, I won’t feel very secure if the people around the world believe we are no different than our enemies. […] As Americans, we do believe our system offers a better way. But the only way to convince others of that is if we live by our values. Real security begins with remembering who we are. We gain nothing by adopting the methods of our enemies.

Bob Schieffer (b. 1937) American broadcast journalist
“Free Speech,” CBS Evening News (14 Sep 2006)
(Source)

Adams, John -- Letter (1815-08-24) to Thomas Jefferson

Dave — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:26:41 +0000

As to the history of the Revolution, my Ideas may be peculiar, perhaps Singular. What do we mean by the Revolution? The War? That was no part of the Revolution; it was only an Effect and Consequence of it. The Revolution was in the Minds of the People, and this was effected, from 1760 to 1775, in the course of fifteen Years, before a drop of blood was shed at Lexington.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1815-08-24) to Thomas Jefferson
(Source)

Paine, Thomas -- “Dissertation on the First Principles of Government” (Jul 1795)

Dave — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:10:30 +0000

It is never to be expected in a revolution that every man is to change his opinion at the same moment. There never yet was any truth or any principle so irresistibly obvious that all men believed it at once.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) American political philosopher and writer
“Dissertation on the First Principles of Government” (Jul 1795)

Source essay

Adams, John -- Letter (1818-02-13) to Hezekiah Niles

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

But what do We mean by the American Revolution? Do We mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People. […] This radical Change in the Principles, Opinions Sentiments and Affection of the People, was the real American Revolution.

John Adams (1735–1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797–1801)
Letter (1818-02-13) to Hezekiah Niles
(Source)