Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President and a rightfully well known writer and speaker. One of my favorite quotes is his paraphrase of Proverbs 17:28: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This was his advice to new members of Congress, that should have been passed on over the years.

One of the people who would have benefited from that advice was Ayn Rand Paul Ryan whose first attempt at political office was US Senator from Kentucky. He won and decided that he was special and didn’t need to be bothered with the rules that bound lesser mortals. The Very Serious People decided that he was a contender, despite no experience and some very odd choices for his battles.

Recently it was noted that he had a habit of borrowing other people’s words and ideas, without bothering to mention that they were borrowed. If he had said ‘Oops, my bad, I’ll have to watch that’ everyone would have forgotten about it. But nooooo! He isn’t guilty, he is a victim of a hate campaign, and he doesn’t have to put up with it, he can go back and make spectacles for others, instead of himself.

A contender? Mitt Romney would have him in tears in a debate. Against the bully from Jersey it would be a TKO before the round started.

Old White Lady has added an all black short-hair, Midnight, to her feline family, while Fallenmonk has been adopted by a Jack Russel mix named Zoey.

It was ten years ago today that both Mustang Bobby and Echidne started blogging after commenting for a while.

Chewing the Ice

When did you know a well-digger?

[Editor: Froggie and Ms Underhouse discussing how cold it is.]

Friday Ark