Skip to main content

Posts

"'New Deal Rebels,' by Amity Shlaes - Random Thoughts and Questions"

  Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “ New Deal Rebels   by Amity Shlaes – Random Thoughts and Questions” August 18, 2023   “…it is neither humanitarian nor Democratic nor American to indoctrinate the people of the United States with the idea that it is the duty of the government to support the citizen, rather than the duty of the citizen to support the government.” Speech by John W. Davis, October 21, 1936 Democrat Presidential candidate 1924   Davis’ words in 1936 anticipated the penultimate sentence in President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address twenty-five years later: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”   Davis’s and Kennedy’s words expressed a longing for a time when government was limited and the individual paramount, when Horatio Alger was honored, and when children were told success was up to them, that they could become whatever they wanted, ...
Recent posts

Review - "The Girl in Blue," P.G. Wodehouse

  Sydney M. Williams   Burrowing into Books The Girl in Blue , 1970 P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) August 15, 2023   “Oh, what a tangled web we weave,   when first we practice to deceive.”                                                                                                                 Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)                 ...

"Projection"

    Today’s subject is one I have long thought about. It has been gestating in my mind, and it was finally given birth when I read the lines quoted in the rubric.   Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “Projection” August 11, 2023   “‘It reminds me of something you said to me that summer. How we accuse others of the sins we don’t admit to ourselves.’ I smile. ‘ projection . Remember? I had a psychologist friend explain it to me once.’”                                                                                          Emilia speaking to Olive                             ...

"Counting Steps - A Fad?"

  This short essay can be categorized as escapism, using the word in its positive sense. Walking is a great exercise. The pace of the world slows. It provides the opportunity to witness nature at work in the world around us.    Sydney M. Williams   More Essays from Essex “Counting Steps – A Fad?” August 5, 2023   “Whenever I’m interested in something, I know the timing’s off, because I’m always interested in the right thing at the wrong time. I should just be getting interested after I’m not interested anymore.”                                                                     Andy Warhol (1928-1987)                                 ...

"Select Colleges: Supply/Demand Imbalances & Other Thoughts"

  Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “Select Colleges: Supply/Demand Imbalances & Other Thoughts” July 14, 2023   “When supply can’t keep up with demand, the result is bidding wars. And in bidding wars, there are always winners and there are losers. There are no beneficial outcomes. So from an economic perspective, this is extremely wasteful.”                                                                                                      ...

"TMI"

                                                                                     Sydney M. Williams More Essays from Essex “TMI” May 6, 2023   “We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom.”                                                                                         ...

"Victimhood"

  Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “Victimhood” August 15, 2022   “There is a difference between victimization and victimhood. We are all likely to be victimized in some way in the course of our lives. At some point we will suffer some kind of affliction or calamity or abuse, caused by circumstances or people or institutions over which we have little or no control… In contrast, victimhood comes from the inside. No one can make you a victim but you. We become victims not because of what happens to us but when we choose to hold on to our victimization…”                                                                                                                 ...