Drawing: Faces 1827 — The Smiler drives in the final spike

by Jack Brummet

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The French at war: some quotes

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."
— General George S. Patton

"The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."
— David Letterman

"The only way the French are going in is if we tell them we found truffles in Iraq."
— Dennis Miller

"They've taken their own precautions against al-Qa'ida. To prepare for an attack, each Frenchman is urged to keep duct tape, a white flag, and a three-day supply of mistresses in the house."
— Argus Hamilton

"After what they say was an exhaustive investigation, the Defense Minister of France said today that Osama bin Laden is either still in hiding in Afghanistan, he may have escaped to Pakistan, or he may be dead. Hey, France, thanks a lot. We'll take it from here. Hard to believe they were invaded twice."
— Jay Leno

"What do you expect from a culture and a nation that exerted more of its national will fighting against DisneyWorld and Big Macs than against the Nazis?"
— Dennis Miller

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion. You just leave a lot of useless noisy baggage behind."
— Jed Babbin, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense

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Times Square, New York City

Partial view of Times Square at night--click to enlarge

Within two minutes of arrving at Port Authority on the bus from Massachusetts, I was walking in Times Square. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed the frenzy that is Times Square--the massive crowds, the insane shops, and the lights and noise. As tawdry as it was and is, I've always loved the place. It's different than it was...when I lived here, there were no chain restaurants, no bubba gump shrimp company, no olive garden. What is mainly different is what is different in NYC in general: you no longer feel threatened, and there are far more people on the streets (which is true of the entire west side, from Times Square up to the Upper West Side). Today after a play on Broadway, we walked through Times Square and I was just stunned. The vibe is still frantic, but it's now tempered. . .they've cleaned it up, and it's now for everyone... not just the brave. Sure, Rudy had a lot to do with that...but that doesn't mean I think he should be President. Or even Mayor.
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166 Years Ago Today, William Henry Harrison Became The Fastest President Ever

Fast indeed. In an earlier article on All This Is That, I called him the drive-by President. He was an empty suit, and it was probably best for the republic his term was as short as it was. There are a more than a few of us that regret the current President didn't try to tackle his record. Harrison lived for exactly one month after being inaugurated. The Whigs rolled out the voters in this election with free balloon rides, live music, and free whiskey.

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