Is Trump unique? No. He’s just the latest in a long line of demagogues and false populists who use deceit and “alternative facts” to confuse the public and to lead nations into ruinous behaviors. This quote, from an 18th Century French author, proves the point.

It’s the latest in our long-running series of quotes that remind us, over and over, that everything ends up being political, whether we like it or not–and that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” [Hey, that’s another old quote, from 1849, by another French writer, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr.]

We’re always on the lookout for quotes–contemporary and historical–that are pertinent to the current political environment. Check out our page full of our previously published illustrated quotes here.

Our illustrator is Christopher Burke, whose unique, quirky cartoons add a touch of whimsy–which we really, really need as we embark on a new, frightening era in American democracy.

The author of this still-timely quote is Voltaire, [1694-1778], a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state.

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Everything is political. Our long-running series of political quotes proves that–we think. We’re always on the lookout for quotes–contemporary and historical–that are pertinent to the current political environment. Our illustrator is Christopher Burke, whose unique, quirky cartoons add a touch of whimsy–which we really, really need in today’s political realm.

So, back to science. What’s it got to do with politics, and who said it? You’ll find the identity of the commenter below.

The author of this quote is: Neil DeGrasse Tyson, an American astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, science communicator and frequent talk-show guest.

Want to see more political quotes like this one? Click here.

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Most of the world’s firearms are privately owned, says The Small Arms Survey.

And which country has the most privately owned firearms per capita? [Firearms as defined, by the Small Arms Survey, include improvised craft guns as well as handguns, rifles, shotguns, and machine guns.]

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that this particular distinction goes to the United States.

In 2007 the Small Arms Survey estimated the number of civilian firearm ownership world-wide at approximately 650 million weapons out of some 875 then in existence. National ownership rates range from a high of 90 firearms per every 100 people in the United States, to one firearm or less for every 100 residents in countries like South Korea and Ghana. With the world’s factories delivering millions of newly manufactured firearms annually, and with far fewer being destroyed, civilian ownership is growing.

 

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Water.org is a nonprofit organization that provides access to safe water and sanitation. The organization has transformed hundreds of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America.

Founded in 2009, and based in Kansas City, Missouri, water.org describes the issues it is addressing, and its goals this way:

The water and sanitation problem in the developing world is far too big for charity alone, says water.org’s website.  Our vision: Safe water and the dignity of a toilet for all, in our lifetime.

Here are some facts about the worldwide water crisis:

More than 3.4 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related causes. Nearly all deaths, 99 percent, occur in the developing world.

Lack of access to clean water and sanitation kills children at a rate equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every four hours.

Of the 60 million people added to the world’s towns and cities every year, most move to informal settlements (i.e. slums) with no sanitation facilities.

780 million people lack access to an improved water source; approximately one in nine people.

“[The water and sanitation] crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.”

An American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day.

Over 2.5X more people lack water than live in the United States.

More people have a mobile phone than a toilet.

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Reporters Without Borders was founded in Montpellier (France) in 1985 by four journalists. The non-profit organization describes its missions as:

• To continuously monitor attacks on freedom of information worldwide;
• To denounce any such attacks in the media;
• To act in cooperation with governments to fight censorship and laws aimed at restricting freedom of information;
• To morally and financially assist persecuted journalists, as well as their families.
• To offer material assistance to war correspondents in order to enhance their safety.inancial and psychological assistance to journalists assigned to dangerous areas.

The organization’s purpose arises from this statement of principles:

Freedom of expression and of information will always be the world’s most important freedom. If journalists were not free to report the facts, denounce abuses and alert the public, how would we resist the problem of children-soldiers, defend women’s rights, or preserve our environment? In some countries, torturers stop their atrocious deeds as soon as they are mentioned in the media. In others, corrupt politicians abandon their illegal habits when investigative journalists publish compromising details about their activities. Still elsewhere, massacres are prevented when the international media focuses its attention and cameras on events.

Freedom of information is the foundation of any democracy. Yet almost half of the world’s population is still denied it.

Reporters Without Borders’ activities are carried out on five continents through its network of over 150 correspondents, its national sections, and its close collaboration with local and regional press freedom groups. Reporters Without Borders currently has 10 offices and sections worldwide.

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There’ s a politically relevant quote hiding behind this teaser. When you see the full quote, you may be surprised to learn who said it, but you’ll have to figure out the source out by choosing from a multiple-choice list. It’s a quiz!

You’ll find the full quote and the expanded illustration below.

It’s part of Occasional Planet’s long-running series of quotes–contemporary and historical–that are pertinent to the current political environment. Our illustrator is Christopher Burke, whose quirky cartoons add a touch of whimsy. Scroll down to see the complete quote and Christopher’s  full illustration. To see a gallery of previously published “click quotes,” click here.

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In Occasional Planet’s “<100 Words” slot, contributors can cheer for, gripe about, react to, and/or simply muse on the news of the day—as long as they restrict their comments to fewer than—of course–100 words. This box will self-destruct and reincarnate once a week. [Word count for this intro: 50]

• Robert Frost once said, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane”.  If I could give one piece of advice to people who are concerned or angry about a violently polarized America it would be to laugh at yourselves. Progressives could stand to watch some Dennis Miller; particularly his [funnier] pre-Fox News bits. Conservatives could stand to watch some David Cross. There is humbleness in laughing at one’s self and if anything can heal our ideological wounds, it is comedy.  —Stacy Mergenthal

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In Occasional Planet’s “<100 Words” slot, contributors can cheer for, gripe about, react to, and/or simply muse on the news of the day—as long as they restrict their comments to fewer than—of course–100 words. This box will self-destruct and reincarnate once a week. [Word count for this intro: 50]

Fair wages: Basic decency and empathy tells us to oppose the “right to work (for less money)” movement in Missouri and elsewhere.  However, in unique situations,  it might be desirable to allow a worker to undersell his services, but it can’t happen because of labor restrictions or worker peer pressure.  Occasional Planet recently reported on how “Albert Pujols could hit a home run for fiscal responsibility.” Greed is not just money; it is a state of mind.  Just as poorly paid workers are abused at the expense of their peers, it can also happen to the well-paid. – Arthur Lieber

Cutting the cable cord: According to the New York Times, From April Through September, cable and satellite companies had a net loss of about 330,000 customers, which industry analysts blame on the weak economy.  Many of the so-called “cord-cutters” are turning to HD rabbit ears, and/or using online streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Yesterday, I decided to join the cord-cutter’s club. After a chat with my cable provider, I was cut loose. At first, I felt a little panicked. But after a short bout of hyperventilation, I watched a few segments of Rachel Maddow online, and today I’m fine. Really. —Madonna Gauding

Progressive progress: Two developments, one national and one local, that can spell good news for progressives.  In Washington, Democrats finally expressed their ire at President Obama for at best not adequately consulting them re. the new tax plan and at worst selling them out.  In STL, a new progressive organization, Forward STL, met to coordinate efforts in the blogosphere and elsewhere so make more citizens and members of the mainstream media aware of liberal voices.  As Colbert King just wrote in the Washington Post, it would be folly to challenge President Obama in 2012.  However, progressives are now focusing more on substance. – Arthur Lieber

Net neutrality: Activist bloggers have an opportunity to make real change by mobilizing for a progressive agenda. Last weekend citizen journalists, activists, and concerned citizens met to discuss the failings of mainstream media and what we can do about it. Imagine an internet without your voice. Imagine an internet where all your news comes from NBC, CBS, or Fox–and nowhere else. This could be the reality if we don’t act to protect net neutrality from the media conglomerates who seek to profit from your silence. Save the internet, keep your voice.  –Stacy Mergenthal

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