2007's Most Memorable Quotes

Envelope please...

The Yale Book of Quotations is an annual list of memorable quotes that is compiled by editor Fred Shapiro, who relies on suggestions from quote-watchers, along with his own choices, and then searches databases and the 'Net to determine the popularity of the quotes. 

The ten most memorable quotes of 2007 according to Shapiro are, in order, and the #1 Memorable Quote of the Year is: 

1. Don't tase me, bro!
   ~ Andrew Meyer, a senior at the University of Florida, while being hauled away by campus police during a speech by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. It was the plea heard round the world as officers removed him from a speech by Senator Kerry. 
    
   Yale Book of Quotations editor Fred Shapiro said that the quote by Meyer just before he got zapped by campus police while protesting at Senator Kerry's speech was "a symbol of pop culture success," thanks to how many times it was searched for on Google and how many T-shirts it showed up on.
    
2. I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.
   ~ Lauren Upton, South Carolina contestant in the Miss Teen USA contest, when asked why one-fifth of Americans cannot find the United States on a map. 
    
3. In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country. 
   ~ Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at Columbia University in New York.  
    
4. That's some nappy-headed hos there. 
   ~ CBS radio personality Don Imus, referring to the Rutgers University women's basketball team. 
    
5. I don't recall. 
   ~ Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to congressional questions about the firing of U.S. attorneys. 
    
6. There's only three things he mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11. 
   ~ Senator Joseph Biden, referring to Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani, speaking during a Democratic presidential debate.  
    
7. I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody who has a nine percent approval rating. 
   ~ Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, referring to Vice President Dick Cheney. 
    
8. (I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom. 
   ~ Senator Larry Craig, explaining why his foot touched the foot of an undercover police officer in the men's rest room of an airport. 
    
9. I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man. 
   ~ Senator Joseph Biden, referring to Senator Barack Obama, a rival Democratic presidential candidate. 
    
10. I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.
    ~ Former President Jimmy Carter, referring to the Bush administration. 

Bonus 'Perfected' Quote:

There was one truly memorable quote that was made in 2007 that I was disappointed to find had not been included in this year's edition of the book. This one came from the October 8th television broadcast of The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch on CNBC, and included a lively dialogue between the host and his guest, a well-known conservative commentator, columnist and best-selling author: 

We just want Jews to be 'perfected,' as they say.
~ Ann Coulter, who went on to explain her viewpoint that Jews ought to become Christians. 

Deutsch, a practicing Jew, said he was personally offended by Coulter's remark, and she tried to defend herself. 

"I don't want you being offended by this. This is what Christians consider themselves, because our testament is the continuation of your testament. You know that. So we think Jews go to heaven. I mean, [Rev. Jerry] Falwell himself said that, but you have to follow laws. Ours is 'Christ died for our sins,'" Coulter said. "We consider ourselves perfected Christians. For me to say that for you to become a Christian is to become a perfected Christian is not offensive at all." 

Ahh... her hero, the late Jerry Falwell, perfected as you can see here...

See the YouTube video of Ann Coulter's interview here.  After seeing that, you might enjoy this video where Philadelphia's own Leah Kauffman, the voice behind "I Got a Crush on Obama", performs in the music video "Perfected" on Buzznet, which is probably the best jab in Ann Coulter's ribs that I've yet seen. 

So there you have it, the Most Memorable Quotes of 2007, plus a bonus.

Technorati Tags: Don't tase me bro, Andrew Meyer, Quote of the Year, Yale Book of Quotations, Ann Coulter, Perfected, YouTube, Buzznet, Lexidiem, Jargontalk, words

Solstice Day is coming...

Christmas is coming... but that's not all.

We know that in most places around the world, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25th. Less known is that the Winter Solstice is coming to all who reside in the Northern hemisphere on December 22, at 06:08 Universal Time (GMT), and is celebrated by various cultures, both ancient and modern.

But that's not all that's coming...

On Wednesday, Fox News reported that at the exact moment of the Winter Solstice, the world is advised to "get busy at the second annual Global Orgasm for World Peace," and further stating:

"Oui! Si! Da! Ja! Yes! Any way you scream it, one group hopes you'll be having an orgasm in the name of world peace this Friday at 6:08 GMT."

Their link showed that the Annual Global Orgasm for Peace will occur on December 22nd... just click on the link for all of the details, and you can follow their online countdown clock for the exact time as to when this will take place. They list their 3 reasons for the big Global-O as: 

• Peace - works for me.  
• Gender & Social Justice - would be glad share for that reason.  
• Global Warming - wouldn't this contribute to global warming? They explain it all better than I'm willing to here, so check it out for yourselves. 

Global Orgasm was started by Donna Sheehan and Paul Reffell, co-founders of the anti-war organization Baring Witness, a group of activists who get naked to make public peace displays with their usually nude bodies.

Referring to last year's event, Adrants noted that they had wondered where all of the long-lost hippies from the '60s had gone, but now they know.

Those in the Southern hemisphere have no reason to feel any jealousy, for according to Australia's Sidney Morning Herald, the Summer Solstice occurs Down Under on Friday at 5:08pm.

Their motto of the day? "More-gasm, not Wargasm!"

Wonder if a unified effort among the members of such social networking sites as Buzznet, Facebook and MySpace would help the cause...  

w00t!

Technorati Tags: Solstice, Global Orgasm, December 22, big-O, Baring Witness, JargonTalk, Lexidiem, Buzznet, Facebook, MySpace, wtf, w00t

'Tis the season...

The holiday season approaches again, so now we have to all consider what's the best gift for those special people in our lives. But there are so many different gift lists and guides out there already that some may already have a good idea what to get. Instead, this year the focus here is going to be on a special group of individual: the geeks...

Top Holiday Gifts for Geeks

The Monty Python Killer Bunny slippers are a great gift for any geek. 

Right now we're out there scouring the Web to find those perfect holiday gifts for the geek in your life, and if you think that the above suggestion is too geeky or not geeky enough, never fear, for in a few days you'll find a few different geek gift lists right here on these pages to help with those critical decisions.

In the meantime, here is a list of items that you should perhaps avoid getting for a geek:

• Swiss Army Knife - chances are that your geek already has a number of these received in previous years. The exceptions here would be if the knife has at least 50 tools or is one of those special models with 1GB or greater of USB memory.
• Computer games - unless your geek has a special request, it's best to avoid these. Computer games are a very personal thing.
• Geek Squad gift certificate - just don't. Enough said.
• A CD with 1001 screen savers - cute, but your geek already knows how to download these same screen savers for free.
• Socks - do you want to remind your geek of his great aunt Matilda, who's probably still giving him the same argyle socks each year?
• Dress shirts - he or she has them already, and they're probably still new in the package because they aren't being worn. Better to stick to work shirts or humorous t-shirts.
• An biography of Bill Gates or Steve Jobs - he or she probably tell you more about them than would fit in most books. Save your money.
• A gift card for cell phone ringtones - only if it's a joke.
• An atlas - come on, if the geek you know doesn't already own the latest GPS, he or she has been using the 'Net for years to find and print out directions.

OK, if you absolutely, positively have to get that gift immediately and can't wait a few more days for our lists, there is one thing that always works:

• Caffeine!
  Can't think of a true geek whom it's not a major food group. It just comes with the territory If all else fails, buy 'em a pound or two of their favorite coffee. Gift cards from Starbuck's usually work, too.

For those that are still looking, check back here in a few days and you find the first of a few of holiday gift lists specifically for geek, things in all price ranges, and some that are purely for fun!
 

Technorati Tags: geek, holiday gift list, ThinkGeek, JargonTalk, Lexidiem, Monty Python, caffeine, swiss army knife

The Few. The Proud.

November 10th, 2007 marks the 232nd birthday of the US Marine Corps.

The Marines can be a mystery to those who weren’t raised in the military culture. History books state that they are an elite group, something different from other military branches, but what really makes them different?

It's simple... a Marine earns the title. One can join the Army, the Air Force, or the Navy -- one earns the title of a United States Marine.

Once a Marine, always a Marine... the few, the proud.

 

---

10 November 2007
A BIRTHDAY MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

Since the birth of our Nation, our liberty has been purchased by valiant men and women of deep conviction, great courage, and bold action; the cost has often been in blood and tremendous sacrifice. As America's sentinels of freedom, United States Maries are counted among the finest legions in the chronicles of war. Since 1775, Marines have marched boldly to the sounds of guns and have fought fiercely and honorably to defeat the scourge of tyranny and terror. We are Marines—that is what we do.

In the words of President John F. Kennedy: "In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger." Magnificent heroes fought in the wheat fields of Belleau Wood, in the snows of the Chosin, and on the streets of Hue City. Your generation bears this obligation now, and it is borne on mighty and capable shoulders, Just like the Marines at Belleau Wood—we are once again engaged in sustained operations ashore. Just like Belleau Wood—Marines have been given the toughest sector and have prevailed over a resilient and determined enemy—who has made us pay for our gains. Once again, as in any struggle, the road ahead is far from certain, but as Marines, we are not dissuaded by the challenges of war or the tough conditions of a warrior's life. Indeed, we don't just accept our destiny—we shape it.

On our 232nd birthday, to every Marine—those still in uniform and those who have served honorable in the past—be proud of who you are and what you do. Know that your citizenship dues have been paid in full; you are part of this Nation's elite warrior class. Cherish our families who offer marvelous support, abiding resolve, and steadfast patience. Remember those who have served and those who have fallen—their names are chiseled on the roll call of America's heroes. Those who have carried the battle colors of our Corps have forged our heritage, and today's generation of leathernecks chart our future. Carry the colors with pride; carry them with honor.

Happy Birthday Marines!

Semper Fidelis,
 
James T. Conway
General, U.S. Marine Corps

---

You might want to see the following as well:

• USMC Commandant's 2007 Video Message
  Interesting from a historical perspective as well
• From the Halls of Montezuma from Buzznet Originals member Sstrokerj
  A visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA
• Old Corps
  A personal photo gallery reflecting this Marine's experiences

Semper Fi...

Technorati Tags: November 10th, birthday, Semper Fi, USMC, Marines, Iwo Jima, Chosin Reservior, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, Lexidiem, Jargontalk

Those Are Beautiful Breasts!

Got your attention?
 
Good, because...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month around the world.

Breast cancer is a serious issue, for all women are at risk for getting breast cancer. As you get older, your risk increases. Assuming you live to age 90, your risk of getting breast cancer over your lifetime is about 14%. That might sound scary, because it means that an average of about one out of every seven women will get breast cancer over a 90-year life span.

You can also look at it another way: A 14% risk means there's an 86% chance that you won't get breast cancer.

Why am I, as a man, posting this information? Simply put, because I care, and because I know first hand how breast cancer can effect a woman, both physically and emotionally.

This is serious enough that I'm sure the you get the point, so let's just lighten up for a bit. A couple of years ago, the Breast Cancer Society of Canada contracted Zig Inc. to come up with a way to convince young women to perform their own regular breast examination. They chose to use humor to reinforce self-testing as a 'normal' task that everyone does.

So the classic Cam’s Breast Exam public service announcement was born. The founding partners of Zig Inc, believed that women value offers of help when they feel overwhelmed and unable to help themselves. When they’re offered help for something they should be doing they protest and happily play their own part.

Cam's Breast Exam

If you can't see the video above, click here for the alternate copy.

Cam, played by then 20-year-old Noah Plener, opens the 30-second spot speaking to the camera:

"Are you too busy to do your monthly breast self exam? Unsure of the right technique? My name is Cam. I’d like to help. Let me examine your breasts for you, absolutely free! I’m highly trained and highly motivated so call the number on the number on the screen. Call takers are standing by."

The camera switches to three teenage boys sitting on a couch, phone ready.

Cam continues, "So put your breasts in my hands. Let Cam do your breast exam."

The PSA concludes with "They’re your breasts. You do it. Examine yourself monthly."

And that's the point: you need to do the exam, and don't put it off, as it's more important that you may realize. As I said before, I care, and I know first hand how breast cancer can effect a woman, both physically and emotionally. I also know what can happen if you put it off, and don't start with that self-exam. It becomes easy to forget, then to put off that critical mammogram, figuring that it won't happen to you, only to that 14%, right?

Let me be up front: Been there - done that. I lost someone to breast cancer, so I know. I know the alternatives, the treatment, and that in most cases it can be stopped if caught in the beginning.

According to the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), young women can and do get breast cancer. While breast cancer in young women accounts for a small percentage of all breast cancer cases, the impact of this disease is widespread: There are more than 250,000 women 40 and under in the U.S. living with breast cancer, and over 11,100 young women will be diagnosed in the next year. And these figures are just for the United States. The YSC is an international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. It's a favorite of mine because they're so proactive, and offer some great free resources.

Another very proactive group worth noting is the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, whose mission is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. They offer such things as a 24-hour hotline, an amazing wig & prosthesis bank. And they offer their resources in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean and Chinese. Because they're so uniquely proactive, this one is another favorite.

So I'm going to make this simple, from one human being who cares enough to post this, to any woman of any age who may be reading this. It's just a simple appeal: just do that Breast Self-Exam (BSE). It only takes a couple of minutes. And if you haven't had one in the last couple of years, please pick up the phone and try to schedule a mammogram. In some areas, they're free if you look around.

And here you can follow Pete Wentz and Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Valient Thorr, and members of MxPx as they walk you through the steps of just how to do a breast self exam in this Warped Tour video from Keep-A-Breast.org, a unique non-profit organization that has been very proactive in increasing breast cancer awareness among young people.

Finally, there's a completely updated list of resources below that you can check out. This should be very global, but if you know of other such resources, please just add them in the comments or send me a message. 

Resources:

• National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• BreastCancer.org - offers news about current breast cancer research
• Young Survival Coalition (YSC) - Breast cancer in young women
• Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization - Multilingual, see above
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
• Everyday Health.com - Breast cancer resources
• Cancer Information Network - Breast cancer resources
• Breast Self Exam (BSE) - from BreastCancer.org
• Breast Self Exam - Canadian site
• Breast Cancer Society of Canada
• FTBC: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer - International
• European Breast Cancer Coalition - Europa Donna (ED)
• Pink Ribbon - (Stichting Pink Ribbon) Nederland
• Japan Society of Breast Health - Japanese language
• Run for the Cure Foundation - Japanese & English 
• National Breast Cancer Centre - Australia
• Australasian Society for Breast Disease - Australia (has scientific abstracts)
• Sociedade Brasilieira De Mastologia - Brasil
• Fighting Breast Cancer in the UAE - English & Arabic
• Keep-A-Breast.org - Art, education, awareness and action.
• National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer PDQ - Screening
• MAMM Magazine - for women diagnosed with breast or reproductive cancers  
• "A good prognosis for progress in breast cancer" from Cancer World, 12/2004

Please feel free to comment... and don't forget that BSE!

Technorati Tags: Breast Cancer, Elle Macpherson, Safe And Sound, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, lexidiem, JargonTalk, Rethink Breast Cancer, advertising, PSA, breasts, Pink Ribbon, nipslip, nipplegate,

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