Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Sounds of Silence


Hail to the Chief.

"I have never been hurt by what I have not said."
-President Calvin Coolidge.

When informed of the death of "Silent Cal," Gertrude Stein famously remarked "How could they tell?" The photograph of him in full Indian headdress is still one of the most hilarious ever taken of a president.

This quote is wise however; it calls to mind the advice that Reagan Press Secretary Larry Speakes gave to his succesor: "You don't have to explain what you don't say." This is Public Occurrences.