# A Resounding Silence.... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 4, 2010, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663 "2010-02-04T11:02:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/61 "2010-02-04T17:30:51Z")
> [@otternell](#): > > The first is a great quote - I’m gonna try to remember that. > > The second one is just common courtesy - no one should ever bogart the bong! 😉 Especially not someone with the lung capacity of five normal men. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/62 "2010-02-04T17:37:48Z")
… ---
**Author:** ![Rand\_Rover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/db5fbb/32.png) [@Rand\_Rover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rand_Rover)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/63 "2010-02-04T18:47:08Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > And is there some sort of Godwin’s Law covering use of the term “sheeple”? Because I’ve yet to see it used seriously in any context that didn’t eventually reveal the user to be a frothing idiot. > > ([Ob XKCD link](http://xkcd.com/610/)) Agreed–see also “the corporations.” Also, a note to those who tell fiscal conservatives to go to Somalia where there’s no government or whatever. The OP is what an anarchist looks like. Just because a fiscal conservative has a different conception of government than you doesn’t mean he is an anarchist. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/64 "2010-02-04T19:32:31Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Except the sheeple aren’t going to be any smarter, so what happens next? Consultants. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/65 "2010-02-04T20:27:05Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Smashing OP. It’s put me in such a state. That took me a second. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/66 "2010-02-04T20:35:42Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.” — Barry Switzer, former head football coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys Near as I can tell, that quote originates with Jim Hightower, said specifically of George HW Bush during the '88 Presidential campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/67 "2010-02-04T20:54:21Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > This might be a valid argument if we weren’t constantly telling ourselves that we live in a meritocracy. However, since the most common path to wealth and influence is inheriting them, people get pissy. Doesn’t change a thing. That’s still Jealousy and Envy. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/68 "2010-02-04T21:15:10Z")
I like beans. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/69 "2010-02-04T21:48:44Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > I propose not replacing government with anything at all…except folks who have something more than their own personal gain at heart. > > Naive? > > What a shame. > > It really is a “shame.” > > Ever notice how Politicians LOVE to describe themselves as “Public SERVANTS”? And rant on about one another how they’ve given (however many) years to “…serving the public.” > > HA! > > They KNOW they are “serving” Business and their own personal fortunes and the Military. > > “Public” (and ESPECIALLY) “SERVANTS” our asses. > > Can we let them get away with calling themselves that anymore? > > But how do we get REAL “Public Servants” into our government anymore? Mom? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/70 "2010-02-04T21:58:36Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Smashing OP. It’s put me in such a state. Not enough pithy aphorisms quoted as facts. ---
**Author:** ![Slypork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/71 "2010-02-04T22:36:52Z")
**Gyrate** , that was awesome! Please pass that around. Everyone on the internets needs to read it. I think the OP needs to take a harder look at the “sheepl”. The powers that be are merely a magnification of humanity. Everyone has the capacity for avarice, deception, cruelty. On individual levels we are constrained by our surroundings. Friends, family, employers, neighbors all restrict us. The more ambitious who stretch themselves beyond the average and move into the public eye or higher up in the business world begin to shake off the shackles of conformity and, frequently, the mores of the “common” man. They cut a corner here, turn a blind eye to corruption there. Before long they consider it part of the norm. And when they get caught we point at them, condemn them for not upholding our ideals for how our leaders in business, government or celebrity should behave. Yet they are us, their moral compasses degaussed by years of attrition, and their downfall is an extension of our own failures. Those people fortunate enough to be born into wealth, power or fame (or any combination thereof) have a headstart on the path towards our darker natures. I love this line from _All of Me_.”Just because my grandfather didn’t rape the environment and exploit the workers doesn’t make me a peasant. And it’s not that he didn’t want to rape the environment and exploit the workers, I’m sure he did. It’s just that as a barber, he didn’t have that much opportunity.” Wow, am I in a cynical mood. I need to go home and hug my kids. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/72 "2010-02-04T22:55:38Z")
Reminds of something a military officer supposedly said while giving a power point presentation. “None of us are as stupid as all of us” If thats the case, till we have benevolent robots to oversee society, its going to be suboptimum process no matter how it gets done. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/73 "2010-02-04T23:13:52Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Not enough pithy aphorisms quoted as facts. “Those who question pithy aphorisms quoted as facts are idiots.” - Benjamin Franklin “Have you heard the new Avril Lavigne song? It’s really bitchin’.” - Jean-Paul Sartre “Shut up, you two.” - St. Augustine ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/74 "2010-02-05T00:18:47Z")
> [@Slypork](#): > > **Gyrate** , that was awesome! Please pass that around. Everyone on the internets needs to read it. > > I think the OP needs to take a harder look at the “sheepl”. The powers that be are merely a magnification of humanity. Everyone has the capacity for avarice, deception, cruelty. On individual levels we are constrained by our surroundings. Friends, family, employers, neighbors all restrict us. The more ambitious who stretch themselves beyond the average and move into the public eye or higher up in the business world begin to shake off the shackles of conformity and, frequently, the mores of the “common” man. They cut a corner here, turn a blind eye to corruption there. Before long they consider it part of the norm. And when they get caught we point at them, condemn them for not upholding our ideals for how our leaders in business, government or celebrity should behave. Yet they are us, their moral compasses degaussed by years of attrition, and their downfall is an extension of our own failures. > > Those people fortunate enough to be born into wealth, power or fame (or any combination thereof) have a headstart on the path towards our darker nature. Your statements are too intriguing and I demand to be subscribed to your newsletter! ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/75 "2010-02-05T00:20:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > As long as we’re being literary: > > “Use every man after his desert and who should 'scape whipping?” > -Hamlet I’m sure that should read “dessert”. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/76 "2010-02-05T00:25:37Z")
desert - n. - “that which is deserved.” in the parlance of our times, “If every man got what he deserved, who would escape a whipping?” ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/77 "2010-02-05T01:04:52Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > desert - n. - “that which is deserved.” > > in the parlance of our times, “If every man got what he deserved, who would escape a whipping?” I just liked the combination of “dessert” and “whipping”. Seems to conjure up a nice and light kind of thing with ice cream. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/78 "2010-02-05T01:49:00Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.” — Barry Switzer, former head football coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys > [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Near as I can tell, that quote originates with Jim Hightower, said specifically of George HW Bush during the '88 Presidential campaign. Nope. Both stole it. Hightower did use it about GHWBush in 1988. It’s definitely found by 1983 and not used by either of the gentlemen > [@](#): > > But it wasn’t Hightower who originated it. Barry Switzer, the legendary head football coach at the University of Oklahoma, was quoted in the Chicago Tribune in 1986 as saying, “Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple.” It’s usually Switzer who is credited with the quote. But the wonder of Nexis has produced this quote from Time magazine’s Susan Fraker, who wrote this in the May 30, 1983, issue about Superior Oil head honcho Howard Keck: "People who know him say that he can be vindictive and that he often acts capriciously. And like many very rich people, he is not accustomed to anyone disagreeing with him. The trouble with Howard, an acquaintance says, is that 'he was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple And, it goes back into the 1930’s, at least in sentiment. > [@](#): > > A genius is one who seems a wonder because he was born on third base. . ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/79 "2010-02-05T02:41:23Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Near as I can tell, that quote originates with Jim Hightower, said specifically of George HW Bush during the '88 Presidential campaign. Goddammit! Internet, you have some explaining to do! ETA: Goddammit! Why don’t I read the whole thread before I respond? ---
**Author:** ![AqualungBats5th](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AqualungBats5th](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AqualungBats5th)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663/80 "2010-02-05T04:48:21Z")
> [@lurking\_guest](#): > > Politicians, The Military, The “Talking Heads”… Don’t worry about the government. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-resounding-silence/527663.md?page=5)