Quotations
They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong. Ronald Reagan
Nature gave man two ends — one to sit on and one to think with. Ever since then, man’s success or failure has been dependent on the one he used most. George R. Kirkpatrick
My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes. Ronald Reagan (Said during a radio microphone test, 1984)
There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only one hundred percent Americanism. Theodore Roosevelt
Sometimes, I feel descriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me. Zora Hursten
Freedom is the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. George Orwell
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against the tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson
The power to tax involves the power to destroy. John Marshall
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! Patrick Henry
Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent. Napoleon Bonaparte
It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error. United States Supreme Court in American Communications Association vs. Douds
The progressives’ campaign against the Scouts is another example of the liberals’ extremism. It has been a characteristic of them for several decades. They set out on a good cause — in this case tolerance — and become intolerant themselves. They call for diversity and end up demanding conformity. R. Emmett Tyrrell
[W]hen the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was teh best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually… I ask, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. George Mason, during Virginia’s Convention to Ratify the Constitution, 1788
Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves?… Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American… Tench Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 20, 1788
The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops… Noah Webster, An Examination ito the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 1787
[A]rms like laws discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe. and preserve order in the world as well as property… Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprive of the use of them… Thomas Paine, Thoughts on Defensive War, 1775
No freeman shall be barred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson, Proposed Virginia Constitution, 1776
The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are delcared to be inherent in the people. Fisher Ames, Letter to F.R. Minoe, June 12, 1789