Samizdata

Ever heard the secret to boiling a frog? Throw the frog in a pot of boiling water, and he jumps right out. But, put him in cooler water, and slowly heat it up, and he’ll stay in until he’s cooked. People, we are almost well done!
– Unknown

[Yes, we know it is an urban legend but it is still a great slogan! A tip of the kevlar battlebowler to Rajat Datta. Ribbit.]

Whenever you’re tempted to believe that those who are responsible for all of the world’s problems are involved in some vast conspiracy, consider the far likelier possibility that they’re just stupid.
– from “Hope” by Aaron Zelman and L. Neil Smith

I must have liberty Withal,
as large a charter as the wind,
To blow on whom I please.
– William Shakespeare, “As You Like It” act II scene VII line 47

An ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.
– Voltaire

The captured Taliban that are now in Cuba are getting one bath towel, they are getting shampoo and toothpaste. The people there are seeing this and asking Castro, “Can we get this stuff?”
– David Letterman

Great Moments in Capitalist History: on this day in 1964 the world’s largest cheese (34,591 lbs) was manufactured in Wisconsin