Tuesday, February 12, 2008

[1793 - Congress enacts the first fugitive slave law]

[1809 - Charles Darwin, naturalist, born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England]

[1809 - Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President, born on Nolin Creek in Kentucky]

[1837 - Thomas Moran, painter, conservationist, born in Bolton, England]

[1880 - John L. Lewis, leader United Mine Workers of America, born in Lucas, Iowa]

[1881 - Anna (Pavlovna) Pavlova, prima ballerina, born in St. Petersburg, Russia]

[1915 - Lorne Greene (Lyon Chaim Green), actor, born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada]

[1919 - Forrest Tucker, actor, born in Plainfield, Indiana]

[1986 - Anatoly Scharansky, human rights activist, released after 8 years in Soviet prisons and labor camps]

Sail On

"Stay the Course," the Captain cried;
I will show them my Firm Hand.
The Captain's heart was filled with Pride;
He simply did not understand.

His Father was a Mariner,
And he had learned his navigation.
A course well laid is safely held.
An errant track may sink the Nation.

One LBJ could not admit,
That he had chosen a wrong plot.
His stubborn nature took the bit.
His legacy consoles us not.

Now JFK could face his blunder.
Passed Bay of Pigs to open water.
Tore not this Nation all asunder.
Admitted Intelligence could falter.

The World forgives a Man or Country,
Makes a mistake, and now would rue it.
Divine is forgiveness; humans may err.
Come on, Mr. President, just say you blew it.

William's Whimsical Words:

Inability to admit mistakes is a sure sign of weakness.

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