48 years ago today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K8Q3cqGs7I

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty...

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Bruno,

Thank you...those were some great words and an inspiring inaugural address. As an aside, I asked my children if it was mentioned in their classes today...all three said that it hadn't been mentioned...but two of my kids informed the teachers of the significance of the day

Again...thank you.

Its a sad day when a student such as myself has to remind the AP Government teacher what day it is... Its a sad day when the vast majority of my peers have no idea what policies the current governmental administration wants to and is implementing... AND THEY WILL VOTE NEXT YEAR. In my AP Government class, I was literally the only person in my class who could name the mayor, our local congressman, either of our two senators, or the state's governor. People in this country have a massive amount of information available to them from thousands of sources, yet they still choose to remain uninformed. It scares me.

And yet, when a group of people summarily considers themselves the only informed and correct ones, democracy falls and the tyranny begins. There's a reason the military-civilian gap is frightening, and it's not just the civilian side not understanding the military, but the military side feeling superior to our civilian oversight. Bad precedent. A bit of perspective.

As far as today, no I did not know that this occurred on Nov 23rd. I don't store most dates of events in my head. Do I know what happened and know my history. You betcha.

hornetguy said:

As far as today, no I did not know that this occurred on Nov 23rd. I don't store most dates of events in my head.

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I believe you.

Luigi59 said:

I believe you.

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lol yes, the 22nd!

hornetguy said:

And yet, when a group of people summarily considers themselves the only informed and correct ones, democracy falls and the tyranny begins. There's a reason the military-civilian gap is frightening, and it's not just the civilian side not understanding the military, but the military side feeling superior to our civilian oversight. Bad precedent. A bit of perspective.

As far as today, no I did not know that this occurred on Nov 23rd. I don't store most dates of events in my head. Do I know what happened and know my history. You betcha.

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On this date in history the word "pontificate" was coined...

Didn't come across as pontifical at all. Just an honest opinion (but I admit probably strongly held) stated on a discussion board. Expressing a strongly held belief is way down on the definition list. Unless it is a Pontiff speaking as a Pontiff and then it would most certainly be pontifical. What year?

Damnant quod non intellegunt. But then I pontificate.

LOL! Being that neither of us is The Pontif - (I know I'm not!) And at the risk of sounding (or being) pontifical: The word pontificate is commonly used to describe a supercilious or patronizing expression of speech. Other terms that effectively describe one who tends to pontificate are pompous, haughty, ostentatious, and condescending. This approach to speech making or lecturing is often meant to demean those that have a different opinion, or in essence is used to make them feel inferior for not agreeing with the “enlightened” perspective of the person speaking.

The funny thing is that each of us, by the above definition, is guilty of pontificating at some level.

Facile omnes quom valemus recta consilia aegrotis damus - Now I pontificate!

Again my question: What Year? It is "A Pontiff" not "The Pontiff". Yes the definition you assign is common as is most supercilious usage of the word. The opinion expressed was only that, "an opinion" that may differ from others.
I am rushing for my Latin phrase dictionary but meanwhile look this up.

Taurus Funditor

sgtpenn said:

On this date in history the word "pontificate" was coined...

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Are you saying that I am being demeaning and pompous for telling someone it is silly to hold a morally superior attitude to their peers and teachers because they can recite more history and dates or read more news?

Oh my...you guys need to lighten up! Yes, (with my tongue firmly in my cheek) I made the pontificate comment...I thought it was funny that you told me that I was feeling "Superior"

"military side feeling superior to our civilian oversight. Bad precedent. A bit of perspective. As far as today, no I did not know that this occurred on Nov 23rd. I don't store most dates of events in my head. Do I know what happened and know my history. You betcha."

When, of course, in order to point out my superiority, you had to take your point of view as being superior to mine... hence the pontificating comment...but I meant it as a joke (especially in the light of the accidental November 23rd reference and Luigi's pointing it out!)

But after the last comment of "Are you saying that I am being demeaning and pompous for telling someone it is silly to hold a morally superior attitude to their peers and teachers because they can recite more history and dates or read more news?" - Telling me it is silly (Demeaning) to be well informed and expecting an AP government class and a POD class to reference a major event in American History (where the students are expected to know the events of the day and be prepared for daily quizzes) - I wouldn't expect it to be mentioned in the Chemistry class...but AP government...Yes

That is one of those dates that stands out in my mind. I was 12 at the time. I also remember the Challenger and Columbia disaster dates, the moon landing, 9-11 heck there are lots of them.

Relax...I understand your point of view and I should have just chuckled to myself. I hope you all have a nice weekend.

consummatum est.

I was 15 and this is getting old Latin is a "dead language" as this off topic discussion should be.

I'll give anyone a dollar if they can even remember what this thread was originally about.

I think you all set a record for how quickly a well intentioned thread went sideways.