That's the funniest thing I've read all year. And I've been following Republican campaign rhetoric.

of course liked a drink...

and i mix up my coward, shaw and churchill...

but did not it go...

Lady Astor.."and you, sir are drunk"

"and you, madam are ugly, but i shall be sober when i awake."

Alas, we live in a country that does not like its politicians to be witty, especially with a sarcastic edge. Now we just say such comments are snarky - smart-assy, but not necessarily mean. I'm not sure which candidate is getting my vote, but Obama's comeback to Hillary, "You're nice enough" made my day. Bring on the snark - we can take it. Just don't be really, really mean, OK?

Why is it that people who know nothing else about Churchill love bringing up that tired quote about Lady Astor?

It's like quoting the one line of Shakespeare you remember from high school to sound learned and well-read.

Hey there Garrison, thanks for sucking in your soul searching soliloqies and picking up the whip and "lashing out" a powerful one...like the old GK indeed...not with a whimper but a bang this time, yes sir!

seems missing from US politics.

Sadly so, because there is now so much about the US to be scathing about.

...ohh, but Mitt would get his hands dirty...can't have that.

Thanks, Garrison! For those who like to use quotes to make a point, this one deserves special recognition:

They gave us a president who, with all due respect to fools and idiots, is a fool and an idiot. ---Garrison Keillor

well thanks for confirming it was a churchill quote.

"It's up to Republicans. They gave us a president who, with all due respect to fools and idiots, is a fool and an idiot. The least they can do now is be a little entertaining." - said he, lashing out.

Forget whipping, Baghdad Bush should be standing trial in the Hague where he would be found guilty of pre-emptive war, of which he is so proud. Also for sanctioning torture and the use of deplete uranium weapons, among other war crimes.

From there, I think hanging by the neck until dead would be appropriate & just.

Every Republican in the legislature, as well as Pelosi and any Dem who was complicit, should also stand trial.

If there were justice....

Just asking.

I don't know if it's true, but I heard somewhere that when Winston Churchill answered his phone in the bunker, he lifted the receiver and barked into it:

"Come STRAIGHT to the point."

The only lashes these comic crusaders wield are attached to their eyelids. They bat their lashes, but nary a tear, do they shed.

...and many other British pols and leaders have no equal in the world of witty, pointed comments today. Wit as an element of public speaking is going the way of the dodo, I'm afraid. (Except for the brave comedian Stephen Colbert and his brilliant satirical speech given just a few feet away from his squirming target just the other year.) Oh, to hear someone bring back such magnificent pugnaciousness to political speech today!

Thanks for the memory, Garrison!

...when she told him that if she were his wife, she'd put poison in his coffee.

To which Churchill replied, 'Nancy, if I were your husband, I'd drink it.'

Dear GK

Oscar Wilde's letter to Bertie about his speech at the Mormon Tabernacle (to keep the secterian consitency going a bit here)(sorry I must paraphrase, but it is easy to verify...)

"Bertie, I have lectured to the Mormons. In their enormous tabernacle. It is vast- enough room to accomodate seven mormon families!" (remove quotation marks if it is not accurate)

Oh, didn't Churchill lose to Atlee in that last election of his?

Maybe not. Someother foil, perhaps. I am too tired to fact check tonight.

He did call Mahatma Ghandi a naked begger- without humor.

His mother was tatooed and he was half American.

Better check those out, too.

In the words of the Great Journalist, Stylebook: "Check it out, check it out,check it out. You hear your mother loves you? Check it out!"

Give us some Waugh or Maughn when you get the chance.

Your devoted listener,

minnesinger5

Looks like the Salon Censor Cops have been busy today, huh?

Maybe I am a fool or an idiot, but that closing made guffaw out loud. It is indeed quotable.

Let us also remember Churchill on his proud, often prickly World War II ally, Charles de Gaulle: "Indomitable in defeat. Insufferable in victory."

Jonathan Scoll

...fools and idiots abound in the electorate, and we can only observe and opine - and cry between bouts of laughter. Thank you GK and Winnie, there once were real men with pens (and tongues) sharper than swords.