Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Abraham Lincoln

General George McClellan was one of the early strategists and commanders for the North during the Civil War. His plans included the famous "Anaconda Plan," which aimed to suffocate the South. President Lincoln preferred to think of the strategy as a chain, and showed this preference in his choice of words after the Battle of Antietam. Sitting the General down, the President told him, in your Inexplicable British Accent Quote of the Day, "You are the weakest link, Goodbye."

Monday, November 14, 2011

George Pullman

Luxury transportation is a relatively new phenomenon in the history of civilization, with even kings riding horses and carriages up until the last two hundred years. One of the pioneers of luxury travel was George Pullman, whose railcar company introduced the sleeper car, and custom railcars that rich owners could have attached to normal trains, but still be separate from the "untouchables." Once, when presenting President Chester A. Arthur with a new presidential car, as documented in the popular magazine serial "Pimp My Pullman," Mr. Pullman showed his extensive knowledge of his clients' individual tastes, in your Ingratiating Quote of the Day, "Yo Chester, I heard you like trains, so I put a model train in your train so you can play with your train while you ride in your train!"

Friday, November 11, 2011

Winston Churchill

One of the greatest orators of all time was so admired that he held the nickname "The Old Master." Winston Churchill's speeches kept the spirits of the British people up during horrifying attacks by the Luftwaffe. Later, when being interviewed about some questionable operations by the military, Churchill lost his legendary cool and shouted, in your Indignant Quote of the Day, "You want the Truth? You can't handle the Truth!"

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Franklin Roosevelt

As a result of Hoover's unpopularity, the 1932 elections saw him vulnerable. The Democratic contender was a dynamic speaker with plans to get the people back to work, even if it meant starting a war. Franklin Roosevelt's campaign slogan was brief, powerful, and great for ending a speech. Here it is as your Inspirational Quote of the Day, "Yes We Can!"

Monday, November 7, 2011

Herbert Hoover

One of the darkest periods of our country's history was the great depression. Much of the blame is usually placed with President Herbert Hoover, who was in office when the stock market crashed in 1929. Hoover secured his name on the American landscape with the Hoover Dam. Hoover originally connected with the electorate by portraying himself as a man of the people, but his impressive bungling of the economy and basic English revealed to the people that he was not in fact one of them, but really just a dumb rich guy. Here are two of his more famous quotes, in your Idiotic Quotes of the Day, "I know that it is hard for you to put food on your family," and, even more profound, "Rarely is the question asked, "Is our children learning?"

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Thomas Dewey

Another famous meltdown came right after World War 2, when Thomas Dewey challenged Harry Truman for the presidency. The Chicago Tribune incorrectly declared Dewey the winner, but the meltdown started when Dewey, in a speech declaring his intent to take the country for the party, started shouting, in your Insane Quote of the Day, "We're going to Virginia, and we're going to South Dakota, and then we're going to the White House, Yyyaaarrgh!!!!"

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was famous for his oratory skills, particularly his long, impassioned speeches of hate and ignorance. It is often forgotten that he was generally an angry person, and hated rehearsing, often blaming other people for his inability to comprehend what his prompters had written. One such blow up was caught on camera and recently uncovered, in your Idiotic Quote of the Day, translated and abridged for length, "And now to play us out, Sting. Wait, what that mean? What? That doesn't mean anything! Fuck it , we'll do it live!!!"