Welcome to the Tuesday edition of the Coffee Hour on Street Prophets. This is our communities’ open thread where we can talk about what’s happening in our lives, our thoughts on current events, and anything else that strikes your fancy. From time to time, politicians have been known to say some dumb things, things which may suggest insensitivity, stupidity, and perhaps an excess of alcohol.
President Calvin Coolidge:
“When more and more people are thrown out of work, unemployment results.”
President George Bush:
“I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don’t always agree with them.”
President Ronald Reagan, in his opposition to legislation to protect the national forests:
“A tree’s a tree. How many do you need to look at?”
Senator Barry Goldwater:
“Many Americans don’t like the simple things. That’s what they have against we conservatives.”
Vice-President Dan Quale:
“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”
Senator Orrin Hatch:
“Capital punishment is our society’s recognition of the sanctity of human life.”
French President Charles de Gaulle:
“China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese.”
Vice-President Dan Quale:
“I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix.”
Now it’s your turn. Please feel free to add some dumb quotes, or some smart quotes, or simply tell us what’s happening, what you’re thinking about.