#gh

Extremists often derive their inspiration from literal interpretations of texts that should rightly be read not as Associated Press reports from the ancient world, but as theological and literary enterprises requiring independent intellectual assessment. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#assessment #associated #derive #enterprises #extremists

It's very important with an artificial leg that all high heels are exactly the same height. ↗

— Heather Mills

#exactly #heels #height #high #high heels

Incumbent White House parties have won 10 of the last 18 presidential elections; the odds are tight, but they favor Obama in 2012. And so gloomy Democrats, check your despair; gleeful Republicans, watch the hubris. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#democrats #despair #elections #favor #gloomy

It's possible that the 2012 general-election race will be the least overtly religious one since 1972, the last campaign before Roe v. Wade and the rise of Jimmy Carter brought evangelicalism into the political mainstream. That's because faith remains a complicated issue for Obama, who is still wrongly thought to be a Muslim in some quarters. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#before #brought #campaign #carter #complicated

Part of what I loved - and love - about being around older people is the tangible sense of history they embody. I'm interested in military history, for instance, because both my grandfathers fought in World War II. I'm interested in writing because one of those grandfathers wrote books. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#around #because #being #books #both

Scripture is not inerrant; believers are called to interpret biblical texts in light of tradition and reason. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#called #interpret #light #reason #scripture

The bringing-about of order is the first and fundamental task of government. We accept limits on our rights for the sake of a larger social compact all the time. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#compact #first #fundamental #government #larger

The decline and fall of the modern religious right's notion of a Christian America creates a calmer political environment and, for many believers, may help open the way for a more theologically serious religious life. ↗

— Jon Meacham

#believers #calmer #christian #creates #decline

What gives it its human character is that the individual through language addresses himself in the role of the others in the group and thus becomes aware of them in his own conduct. ↗

— George H. Mead

#becomes #character #conduct #gives #group

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. ↗

— Margaret Mead

#change #change the world #citizens #committed #doubt