#iona

Though he never actually joined it, he was close to some civilian elements of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which was the most Communist (and in the rather orthodox sense) of the Palestinian formations. I remember Edward once surprising me by saying, and apropos of nothing: 'Do you know something I have never done in my political career? I have never publicly criticized the Soviet Union. It’s not that I terribly sympathize with them or anything—it's just that the Soviets have never done anything to harm me, or us.' At the time I thought this a rather naïve statement, even perhaps a slightly contemptible one, but by then I had been in parts of the Middle East where it could come as a blessed relief to meet a consecrated Moscow-line atheist-dogmatist, if only for the comparatively rational humanism that he evinced amid so much religious barking and mania. It was only later to occur to me that Edward's pronounced dislike of George Orwell was something to which I ought to have paid more attention. ↗

— Christopher Hitchens

#communism #dflp #dogmatism #edward-said #humanism

It's not important that we agree with each other, only that we understand each other. ↗

— Raquel Cook

#attitude

People who come from dysfunctional families are not destined for a dysfunctional life. ↗

— Bo Bennett

#destined #dysfunctional #families #life #people

It is vital that we avoid any hint of moral superiority in our dealings with one another in the environmental movement; if it developed into factionalism it would destroy us, as factionalism has destroyed so many other progressive movements in America. ↗

— Edward Abbey

#factionalism #moral-superiority #environmentalism

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Thou art the Potter and I am the clay. ↗

— Chaim Potok

#inspirational #religious #art

I want the traditional family upheld, but I don't want it upheld to the detriment of other people. ↗

— John Shelby Spong

#family #i #other #people #traditional

Everybody pursues their national interests. The only one who gets blamed for it is the United States. ↗

— John Bolton

#everybody #gets #interests #national #national interests

When I cook with my son, I might chop vegetables and have fun with different shapes. Cooking is a way to teach kids about other things, like reading or math with all of the weights and measures. There are so many things that are part of cooking that are also very educational. ↗

— Emeril Lagasse

#also #chop #cook #cooking #different

I launched The Emeril Lagasse Foundation to provide culinary training, and developmental and educational programs to children in the cities where my restaurants operate. I think everyone has a responsibility to give back to the community if they can, and to help future generations learn new skills. ↗

— Emeril Lagasse

#children #cities #community #culinary #developmental

I became a lesbian because of women, because women are beautiful, strong, and compassionate. ↗

— Rita Mae Brown

#became #because #compassionate #i #lesbian