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TBF

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64. Actually that "quote" is attributed to Richard Grenier.

Tue Sep 23, 2014, 11:19 AM

Sep 2014

Dear Quote Investigator: The brilliant writer George Orwell authored two of the most powerful and acclaimed political books of the last century: 1984 and Animal Farm. The saying that interests me is usually attributed to him, and there are two popular versions:

We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf

I think these words are consistent with the sentiments Orwell expressed in essays, but I have read conflicting comments about whether these words are correctly ascribed to him. Would you trace the source of these statements?

Quote Investigator:There is no substantive evidence that George Orwell who died in 1950 made this remark. The earliest known matching statement appeared in a column in the Washington Times newspaper written by the film critic and essayist Richard Grenier in 1993 ...

More here: http://quoteinvestigator.com/2011/11/07/rough-men/

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I stand with President Obama [View all] DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 OP

I do love TR Sherman A1 Sep 2014 #1

I support Obama zipplewrath Sep 2014 #2

I don't (nt) bigwillq Sep 2014 #3

I don't either. cwydro Sep 2014 #153

+1000 Quackers Sep 2014 #179

.... bigwillq Sep 2014 #181

Same here... sometimes he's wrong, but he strives towards right, IMO. NT Adrahil Sep 2014 #4

Yeah. Waaaaaay to the right. nt woo me with science Sep 2014 #10

Willingly, it seems. SammyWinstonJack Sep 2014 #60

+1 I would say aggressively. woo me with science Sep 2014 #62

^^^this^^^ L0oniX Sep 2014 #76

irony alert Doctor_J Sep 2014 #13

And away from "his friends on the left" bobduca Sep 2014 #84

Let's see now. Regan, Bush 1 Bush 2, Romney?, misterhighwasted Sep 2014 #5

I would prefer that he dared a bit more greatly. Scuba Sep 2014 #6

With our system of government though Scuba I am not sure if there is actually much more cstanleytech Sep 2014 #69

Unfortunately Thespian2 Sep 2014 #7

I don't think you can survive in this country anymore unless leftyladyfrommo Sep 2014 #37

Thanks for speaking truth. Thespian2 Sep 2014 #107

I stand against inverted totalitarianism. woo me with science Sep 2014 #8

The critics are out in full force this morning. moondust Sep 2014 #9

Ah, fuck em. leftyladyfrommo Sep 2014 #40

Exactly. moondust Sep 2014 #45

Obama doesn't hurry things. leftyladyfrommo Sep 2014 #47

hear, hear... Stellar Sep 2014 #81

Yes LyndaG Sep 2014 #155

That is sure right. He was going to close Guantanomo. cwydro Sep 2014 #156

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #180

So true. And most of his critics are furious with him because he doesn't hurry things. MADem Oct 2014 #256

Actually we AnalystInParadise Sep 2014 #159

and you do? Skittles Sep 2014 #240

Most important though is I stand with this President and don't give a damn who knows it. madokie Sep 2014 #11

Good for YOU! woo me with science Sep 2014 #12

Good stuff. I don't know how I missed all of it the first time. We need a sort of DU/UTNE on DU! marble falls Sep 2014 #30

^^^this^^^ L0oniX Sep 2014 #79

my god...massive blue linkage alert n/t Sheepshank Sep 2014 #95

Thank you for that! it's a great truth spoken by a great man and our president is in there everyday Thekaspervote Sep 2014 #14

I don't. and what a crock of hackneyed bullshit from ol' TR cali Sep 2014 #15

See reply 16. Doctor_J Sep 2014 #17

Really? CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #21

I think Teddy was talking about the climate protestors, war protestors, Doctor_J Sep 2014 #16

I'll join you. nt dflprincess Sep 2014 #135

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president,... PoliticAverse Sep 2014 #18

LOL, looks like you hit the send button first. nm rhett o rick Sep 2014 #23

Criticism is healthy. n/t ozone_man Sep 2014 #249

I don't. ballyhoo Sep 2014 #19

I do too. CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #20

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the Presid rhett o rick Sep 2014 #22

One persons ' truth' is not always 'the truth', just an opinion. lumpy Sep 2014 #102

Ok, but what is your point. My point isn't that I will not blindly stand by any politician. rhett o rick Sep 2014 #115

And you interpret that to mean you should "stand with Obama" tkmorris Sep 2014 #24

Please feel free to stand with whomever you want./NT DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #25

I'ts a nice sounding quote. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Sep 2014 #26

Well DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #28

Bingo. BlueCaliDem Sep 2014 #87

Posting this for you: freshwest Sep 2014 #117

Brava! sheshe2 Sep 2014 #147

Like this! calimary Sep 2014 #162

Doesn't mean... DavidG_WI Sep 2014 #202

Unfortunately, he doesn't stand with you. Psephos Sep 2014 #27

What you said. 100%. marble falls Sep 2014 #31

Amen to that bobduca Sep 2014 #38

+1000000! SammyWinstonJack Sep 2014 #63

Yup grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #65

+1000000 woo me with science Sep 2014 #66

He does with me. nt msanthrope Sep 2014 #72

me also nt steve2470 Sep 2014 #96

Me, too. It's because of him we're doing as well as we are today. BlueCaliDem Oct 2014 #254

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #77

BINGO Maven Sep 2014 #103

Perfectly stated. Thank you. Paladin Sep 2014 #113

^^^What you said^^^ dflprincess Sep 2014 #137

Sad but true nt Zorra Sep 2014 #145

Teddy, my hero tartan2 Sep 2014 #29

A good anti-trust, progressive Republican. And totally full of himself. marble falls Sep 2014 #33

Me too. The best most thoughtful measured response to this awful situation. Ryano42 Sep 2014 #32

I remember that "No Blood for Monica" saying Iliyah Sep 2014 #61

the same quote was used to support Bush Enrique Sep 2014 #34

yep. the freeper archives will come in handy m-lekktor Sep 2014 #35

Yeah, maybe if we put together enough keyboard "experts" we can get close to having Obama's intel. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #43

Tu quoque fallacy/NT DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #39

How dare you compare Obama to Bush Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #128

Smart people are able to tell the difference between what bush was saying and what Pres Obama says. Cha Sep 2014 #142

Proud to Recommend this. People on discussion boards know 1/100th of what Obama knows. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #36

I disagree bobduca Sep 2014 #41

I wish we COULD trust our elected officials to do right tkmorris Sep 2014 #46

LOL, we knew 1/100th of what Bush knew also. Lol, get it now? nt Logical Sep 2014 #56

But Bush knew nothing! Stellar Sep 2014 #83

2003 just called and they want their lame ass excuse back they have to return it to TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #212

I stand with President Obama Iliyah Sep 2014 #42

Give peace a chance - TBF Sep 2014 #44

Orwell seems to be of two minds DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #49

are you sure that wasn't Col. Jessup? Enrique Sep 2014 #51

It was Orwell. I believe he wrote fiction but was, alas, not a fictional character./NT DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #53

Actually that "quote" is attributed to Richard Grenier. TBF Sep 2014 #64

fascinating Enrique Sep 2014 #82

A lot of misattributed quotes on the Internet - TBF Sep 2014 #90

I will look further to see if the quote is apocryphal. If it is I'm frosted. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #114

It's not that big a deal TBF Sep 2014 #140

Lincoln was a wise man Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #130

As was Sir John Gielgud FrodosPet Sep 2014 #163

Another thrown under the bus, like Warren and Sanders for supporting Obama on ACA, ISIS, etc.. freshwest Sep 2014 #111

Dear President Obama, pitchforx Sep 2014 #48

Hard Core Liberal here stands with President kansasobama Sep 2014 #50

please bobduca Sep 2014 #52

i am always wary of self-professed "liberals" noiretextatique Sep 2014 #70

... TBF Sep 2014 #55

My hispanic friends thought this post was funny n/t bobduca Sep 2014 #58

My air quotes friends thought your post was pretty funny too Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #132

Thanks Capt. Obvious! bobduca Sep 2014 #146

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Sep 2014 #108

Sorry, kansasobama.. you can't tell some to be "realistic".. they can't handle it. And, the ones Cha Sep 2014 #144

Excellent points, my dear Cha. sheshe2 Sep 2014 #150

Those trying to blame only the President for trying to get rid of Daesh need to face reality, she.. Cha Sep 2014 #154

Do you think they'll toss Senators Sanders and Warren under the bus as easily as they've done Obama? BlueCaliDem Oct 2014 #255

How are those cherries you picked tasting? cui bono Sep 2014 #245

I stand with this guy. Tierra_y_Libertad Sep 2014 #54

If i see somebody about to lob somebody's dome off and I shoot him or her somebody's still dead... DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #59

Not me. Not in MY name. nt Romulox Sep 2014 #57

How you gonna pay for this new war? grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #67

What day is this now? woo me with science Sep 2014 #74

13. Soon to be week 13. Year 23 since Iraq war 1. Decade 3, I guess....! grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #75

Pfffft! Put it on the credit card of course! BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #167

I stand with Obama about 60% of the time. Fuck his new war in the middle east though, and fuck every Erose999 Sep 2014 #68

I dont think the democrats were voting for a new war so much as voting to try and help fix cstanleytech Sep 2014 #71

Getting more involved in the middle east would mean handing the next president the keys to start a Erose999 Sep 2014 #73

On the other hand ignoring it can potentially cause even more trouble. cstanleytech Sep 2014 #91

Fuck the bush-cheney war on Iraq and now the President has to clean it up. These Dems actually know Cha Sep 2014 #122

So what warren and the President are saying is that "there is no military solution" while they are Erose999 Sep 2014 #188

Arm-chair quarterbacks.. Docross Sep 2014 #78

oh bollocks. One doesn't need to know everything to have an informed opinion cali Sep 2014 #100

Same thing republicans said 2002. ForgoTheConsequence Sep 2014 #139

Sorry Friends if I offended some kansasobama Sep 2014 #80

No, we're not a democracy. woo me with science Sep 2014 #89

^^^This!^^^ BlueCaliDem Sep 2014 #93

LOL. woo me with science Sep 2014 #94

The forest you are looking at is plastic. n/t cui bono Sep 2014 #247

I say the same to you, cui. eom BlueCaliDem Oct 2014 #253

President Obama had the exact opposite strategy - Kermitt Gribble Sep 2014 #112

He won w/ left-leaning messages JonLP24 Sep 2014 #221

You are wrong. Dems are doing the exact opposite of what you say. cui bono Sep 2014 #246

He is my president but that does not always mean I agree with him. jwirr Sep 2014 #85

There's room here on the anti-war left if he wants to stand with me. (n/t) Iggo Sep 2014 #86

^^This^^ +1000 = He can join us anytime he wants. (n/t) dilby Sep 2014 #88

"The Leader is good! The Leader is great! I surrender my will as of this date!" Maedhros Sep 2014 #92

TR and I share both a birthdate and this exact same sentiment. nt MrScorpio Sep 2014 #97

Cool...smooth. maced666 Sep 2014 #98

Cool. Green. Iggo Sep 2014 #99

That is a nice, feel-good quote that doesn't reflect reality. ZombieHorde Sep 2014 #101

I don't... choie Sep 2014 #104

Bookmarking 1000words Sep 2014 #105

Good call. ForgoTheConsequence Sep 2014 #131

The Sadness Of Blind Obedience colsohlibgal Sep 2014 #106

Said a long time ago, but still true today. Thanks for posting this. freshwest Sep 2014 #109

That sentiment leads to recklessness. A much wiser man once said LittleBlue Sep 2014 #110

If a republican is elected in 2016 and continues this are you standing with that one too? Autumn Sep 2014 #116

Depends. I guess if I was around in the 19th century I would have supported Abraham Lincoln (R) war. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #118

Oh, so you supported the Iraq war? cui bono Sep 2014 #248

I supported the first Iraq war that liberated Kuwait. I strenuously opposed the second Iraq War... DemocratSinceBirth Oct 2014 #257

Depends. Will her name be Hillary? Major Hogwash Sep 2014 #119

There's really not a dime difference between Obama and Hillary. I was wondering if Autumn Sep 2014 #120

Lessee here, you don't like Obama, Carter, Clinton, or Roosevelt. Major Hogwash Sep 2014 #134

I don't like Obama, Carter, Clinton, or Roosevelt ??? Where did you pull that out of? Autumn Sep 2014 #136

Sorry, to disappoint you but a republicon is not going be elected in 2016 or anytime soon.. Cha Sep 2014 #123

You couldn't disappoint me if you tried, you don't have the ability Autumn Sep 2014 #124

Right.. there's no need to be disappointed because all these Dems stand with the President against Cha Sep 2014 #125

Not going to bother reading this post of yours either Autumn Sep 2014 #126

Even Elizabeth Warren supports our President!! Major Hogwash Sep 2014 #138

The ODSers cannot handle reality.. they have their eyes covered and their fingers in their Cha Sep 2014 #141

I proudly do so. great white snark Sep 2014 #121

"...there is no effort without error and shortcoming..." ailsagirl Sep 2014 #127

eight civilians dead today. ForgoTheConsequence Sep 2014 #129

You stand with Obama attacking cwydro Sep 2014 #133

These Dems stand with the President because they know what's going on..Bernie, Elizabeth, and Jimmy. Cha Sep 2014 #143

I disagree cwydro Sep 2014 #148

Thank you Cha. Excellent information. lovemydog Sep 2014 #152

"Anyone comparing President Obama to Bush has their head in the sand or up their ass. In my humble.. Cha Sep 2014 #157

Loyalty is overrated these days. bobduca Sep 2014 #149

Comparing Obama to Teddy Roosevelt? cwydro Sep 2014 #151

The "he's no different from Bush" fools are out in full force blithely unaware that American support Number23 Sep 2014 #158

Hmm, "you're either with us or agin' us!" eh? BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #168

Like most strawman efforts, you fail. nt stevenleser Sep 2014 #176

No, actually that was a good summary of the pablum in that post. nt woo me with science Sep 2014 #177

Yes, facts are "pablum" to those incapable of understanding them Number23 Sep 2014 #200

You could not have typed a more irrelevant response to my post if you were trying Number23 Sep 2014 #199

It was more of a comparison of you with Ari Flescher than Obama w/Bush BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #203

Ari Fleischer (I can only assume you misspelled it on purpose) was an architect of a false Number23 Sep 2014 #205

can you post the numbers for support of the iraq war in 2003 kplzthx? frylock Sep 2014 #208

The idiotic war on Iraq was far more popular at one time but that 90% support did not prevent TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #213

The Iraq War had people protesting by the masses all over the world Number23 Sep 2014 #225

Then those teeming billions eager to settle up a few tens of thousands can take care of it TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #227

Then saddle up those principles and run for office, cowboy! Number23 Sep 2014 #229

I've been right on these matters over the years enough to more than cover any imaginary balance TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #233

The will is overwhelming and the world has spoken. CLEARLY Number23 Sep 2014 #234

If the will is overwhelming then the world has got this one going away. TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #236

You keep posting your opinion as if it carries as much (if not more) weight than the vast Number23 Sep 2014 #239

Really? That's it? A graphic without context and assumed lockstep. flvegan Sep 2014 #160

Where is the "assumed lockstep"? NanceGreggs Sep 2014 #161

What "thought and consideration"? woo me with science Sep 2014 #170

The goal is to degrade and defeat ISIS DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #171

So how's that been working for us, bombing the shit out of countries to destroy terrorists? woo me with science Sep 2014 #174

I will be the bigger person and ignore the ad hominem attacks DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #182

Spare that, please. There was no ad hominem attack. There was an accurate observation woo me with science Sep 2014 #183

As Keynes said "In the long run we will all be dead." DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #186

Funny how those gonad-stirring quotations always seem to apply woo me with science Sep 2014 #189

I am in favor of confronting evil, within the bounds of reason, whatever the source DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #190

Are we safer, or are we less safe? woo me with science Sep 2014 #191

We are more safe. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #192

Post removed Post removed Sep 2014 #193

I don't see anything in my emboldened quotes that are incongruous DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #194

unless you're at the recruiting center, you aren't confronting jack shit frylock Sep 2014 #209

This message was self-deleted by its author DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #215

the fuck is this all about? frylock Sep 2014 #216

Do you think you are going to intimidate me with your ad hominems and obscenities? DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #217

so tell me what it is that YOU are doing to confront evil.. frylock Sep 2014 #218

Do you want accounts of instances... DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #219

i'm just going to assume you're a superhero of some sort, and back slowly away from this discussion frylock Sep 2014 #228

And the jury results are in.... aikoaiko Sep 2014 #222

My comment wasn't made in a vacuum. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #223

First of all, read my sig. See how incorrect you are in your OP. cui bono Sep 2014 #242

I deleted it because posting (my) address was causing some people distress . That's not my intention DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #243

You didn't delete it. I'm trying help you actually delete it. cui bono Sep 2014 #244

I think it's gone now DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #250

Well I'm not going to support center-right policies that infringe on my rights cui bono Sep 2014 #251

Such is your right and I won't make an ad hominem attack on you for doing so. DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #252

You've missed the point entirely. NanceGreggs Sep 2014 #206

Would you lodge this same objection if the OP CakeGrrl Sep 2014 #166

I'm glad the OP added the pic of Teddy Roosevelt to the quote Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #172

I would rather stand with Gandhi. liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #164

This Gandhi? Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #173

Suprising Quote! bobduca Sep 2014 #178

Gandhi thinks Obama doesn't go far enough Capt. Obvious Sep 2014 #187

Excellent! woo me with science Sep 2014 #184

good one. liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #195

Is that bizarro Gandhi? lame54 Sep 2014 #197

maybe alternative universe Gandhi? Or opposite day Gandhi? liberal_at_heart Sep 2014 #198

Enlist. grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #165

That tired meme doesn't work. It's an air war. No enlisted soldiers are fighting it. nt stevenleser Sep 2014 #175

see you in another month frylock Sep 2014 #210

It takes 4500 sailors to support the aircraft. 18,000 meals per day... Go be a cook! grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #237

Yup. woo me with science Sep 2014 #185

Agree, much more patriotic BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #204

My better angels tell me to ignore this ad hominem but my darker angels say fuck it DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #230

Maybe you can drive a supply truck for a contractor. grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #231

By your logic Malia Obama should enlist as she presumably supports her father's policies DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #232

Works for me. Note: Bidens son is in the military, I believe. grahamhgreen Sep 2014 #235

Hopefully we all do so. dipsydoodle Sep 2014 #169

That could apply to Bush's invasion of Iraq lame54 Sep 2014 #196

Bush's invasion of Iraq was a strategic blunder DemocratSinceBirth Sep 2014 #201

On re-reading I caught the words worthy cause lame54 Sep 2014 #207

Me too! MuttLikeMe Sep 2014 #211

Yep - he's fine by me. dipsydoodle Sep 2014 #214

I would never want to be President JonLP24 Sep 2014 #220

Um...you know, I really don't. NaturalHigh Sep 2014 #224

Roosevelt went into the wars he endorsed. Kind of a different thing. n/t Scootaloo Sep 2014 #226

Thank you. elleng Sep 2014 #238

Read my sig: cui bono Sep 2014 #241