Wisecracks from and about Politicians

“My definition of a redundancy is an air-bag in a politician's car” -Larry Hagman

Salem-News.com

(HARRISVILLE, N.H.) - Can you remember the days when a politician used to crack wise and you did not have to wonder if it was a joke? I believe it was Oscar Wilde who said, “If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they’ll kill you”. There might be something to that! Maybe that is why we so rarely get a good laugh from politicians anymore... but I digress. I thought it might be a good time to reminisce about the good old days when you could listen to a politician and walk away smiling rather than nauseous.

Here are a few quotes either from or about politicians that have brought a smile to my lips in the past:

"I'd like to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave...with all five fingers..." from President George W. Bush in reference to protesters and supporters who greeted him during a trip to Canada. Even the Canadian Prime Minister got a chuckle on that one!

Then there was Winston Churchill who was seated next to Lady Astor at a lavish dinner party. Lady Astor raised her voice slightly when she rebuked Winston Churchill with “Winston, if I were your wife I would poison your tea”, to which he calmly but loudly replied, “Lady Astor, if I were your husband, I would drink it”!

Who could forget when Robin Williams explained the source of the word POLITICS as “from the Latin “poli” meaning many and “tics” which are bloodsucking creatures”.

There is the quote often attributed to Harry Truman but in reality, the true source is unknown – “Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason”.

Then there is an excellent statement that really is from old “Give ‘em hell” Harry Truman: “My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference.”

Henry Kissinger probably hit the nail on the head when he said, “Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation”.

Then there is my all-time favorite from Larry Hagman: “My definition of a redundancy is an air-bag in a politician's car”.

I thought it might be nice to deviate from the seriousness of politics just for today. I hope you didn’t mind and were able to enjoy a chuckle or two from this reminiscing.

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Writer Robert Collinsworth is an American who isn't hesitant to talk about the good side of his country, and that is a welcome thing in this day and age. Salem-News.com admittedly, is very critical of both American politics, as well as those of other nations that we perceive is being wrong in their motives and actions. At the same time, within these structures we criticize, are many outstanding people who make each day a better place for all those around them. They embody and personify the American spirit that is sometimes fleeting, but always present. These are some of the things Robert takes into account when writing commentary that is designed reach people, to "get them thinking" in his words, and indeed it does. Salem-News.com's goal is for all people to be on the same page, we appreciate Bob's more conservative approach toward that same goal."

You can write to Bob Collingsworth at this email address: colli2@webryders.net