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Gina Marie Incandela, the petite 7-year-old sensation who blessed the spectators at the Orlando Magic playoff games, is poised to move forward with her musical aspirations.

She is not a typical young girl. Gina has autism, but that is not stopping her from following her dreams. "I want to be a rock star," Gina said while she was waiting to perform at the Back-2-School, Back-2-Health event in Orlando July 25 with her mother, Michelle, father Dwayne, sister Alexis (Lexi), grandfather Mort Mescall and other family members.

That day will always be special to Gina. Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and 3rd District Commissioner Mildred Fernandez proclaimed July 25 "Gina Marie Incandela Day" stating that "despite an early diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder, [Gina] exceeded all expectations and defied odds." The proclamation continued to acknowledge that Gina and her parents "worked very hard over the past few years to reach all the social and developmental goals set out for her, and after numerous occupational, speech, language and behavioral therapies, and with the loving support of her family, she has established herself as a vocal star."

Gina is best known for her National Anthem performances at the Orlando Magic games. She gained international recognition with her penetrating rendition at the recent NBA playoff games in the Amway Arena. "Gina Marie captured our collective hearts," Magic Vice-President of Communications and team spokesperson Joel Glass said. "She is absolutely remarkable and truly inspirational to everyone in the Magic family. While serving as the Magic good luck charm, she brought attention to autism and it is our hope that in ways big and small she provided her contagious inspiration to others."

Gina said that performing in front of 30,000 people is exciting for her. "When I sing the National Anthem, I feel like everyone is with me on the stage," she said. Mescall added that Gina will not even perform in small crowds. "If there is a group of eight people, Gina won't sing. But give her a packed stadium and she will sing her heart out."

Following her dreams, Gina is working on a collaboration album that will help benefit The Miracle Project and "is less about research and the cure and more about working to improve the quality of life for children and families with autism living today and applying the transformational techniques inherent in theater to bring out the ability within the disability," Diane Isaacs, executive producer of the project said.

The album, "Fly: Into the World of Autism," features the voices of children with autism. Several well-known artists will be contributing to the effort including Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills and Drew Seeley. Gina will also contribute to the song "Make Some Music" which features Seeley on lead vocals. Isaac's own autistic son, Wyatt, will sing a song with Jack Black featuring Stills on guitar.

Gina's part of the duet with Khan, "Butterfly," was recorded in her sister's room. It's a song about a young child who will emerge as a butterfly in her own time. Jason Lucas, wrote and produced the song and traveled from Los Angeles to Orlando, bringing with him the full, mobile recording equipment. "We were surrounded by stuffed animals and walls painted with cartoon characters, like a little wonderland," Lucas said. "I set up the studio on a children's tea party table and sat on a tiny plastic chair

"Gina would come in and record fifteen minute sessions with me for 2 days. She would step in like a professional, put on her headphones and just do it. Gina did not need two bars of introduction, just a few words. She was very well -rehearsed, thanks to her Mom and family, who provide a very supportive, progressive, yet normal environment."

Lucas described Gina as "a very happy, warm and loving youngster, who is a joy to hang out with." He recalled that Gina "memorized the string names on my guitar having heard them named one time. Two hours later, Michelle, her mother, asked her to name the strings and with very little hesitation and no flaws, she did." "When I first heard about Gina, I knew she had to sing on "Fly: Into the World of Autism" because she flies and redefines the common perception about what a child with autism can do," Isaacs said. "She is a shooting star, as are many of our other child singers. It is a celebration of the many voices of autism to open eyes, ears and hearts to this diagnosis."
The album is scheduled to be released this fall. Updates will be available at ginachildperformer.com/ and at www.themiracleproject.org/. Other celebrity contributors to the project include Rev. Run (from MTV's Runs House and Run DMC) , Ben Vereen, Babyface, Gary Cole and several others.

Gina was first diagnosed with autism when she was two years-old; however, her parents were not sure this diagnosis was correct because they were not familiar with the symptoms. Gina was unable to speak and did not associate with other children well. She would become frustrated and angry because she could not communicate the way she wanted to. Things seemed to be getting worse and not better. The Incandela's soon realized that what they had dismissed as "behavioral quirks" were actually symptoms of autism.

Gina received treatment at UCP of Central Florida from age two through five. She now attends a private school in Kissimmee. "We believe that the early diagnosis and early intervention along with the family support were crucial to her success," Michelle added.

Now, at age seven, Gina "works hard every day to function in a world which she perceives much differently than most," Michelle said. She explained that "through music therapy, Gina's speech improved and through speech therapy, her singing improved and it has brought her full circle."

"Gina does not really know that she has autism," Michelle said. "We have tried to explain it to her, but I don't think she is yet able to see those differences between herself and the other kids. If you ask her whether or not she is different from the other kids she will say 'Yes, I sing really good.' She sees her musical ability as the trait which makes her unique and not her autism."

Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. The illness impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Those with autism may exhibit repeated body movements, unusual responses to other people, attachments to certain objects and have an aversion to any changes in routine activities. There is currently no cure for autism, but the illness is treatable. Donna Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (http://www.asgo.org/), said that "Gina always amazes me and reminds me of the possibilities."

Donna Helsel, board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Orlando (http://www.namigo.org/), heard Gina perform at the opening of the Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. "She is fantastic," Helsel said. "She is a wonderful example that early intervention and treatment works."

Gina has performed the National Anthem more than fifty times locally and across the country. In addition to opening for the Orlando Magic, she has appeared at Shea Stadium in New York, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and was also a guest on the Today Show. Recently, Gina was asked to return to New York for the US Open Tennis Championship on Labor Day weekend. Topping off her busy schedule, Gina is also working on new recordings of her own that will be available in various formats.

It's difficult to know what the future holds for Gina and her family, but Michelle explained that our plans are to support Gina and her dreams. We want both our girls to ultimately do what takes them happy in life and will do whatever we can to support them in their endeavors. Gina's career choice might change but, hopefully whatever she does it will be something that she loves."

Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is hosting the 5th annual Orlando Walk Now for Autism fund raising event on November 14. For further information, visit www.walknowforautism.org/orlando.

Additional photos of Gina can be viewed at www.bvphoto.net/musicians

Gina Marie Incandela, the petite 7-year-old sensation who blessed the spectators at the Orlando Magic playoff games, is poised to move forward with her musical aspirations.

She is not a typical young girl. Gina has autism, but that is not stopping her from following her dreams. "I want to be a rock star," Gina said while she was waiting to perform at the Back-2-School, Back-2-Health event in Orlando July 25 with her mother, Michelle, father Dwayne, sister Alexis (Lexi), grandfather Mort Mescall and other family members.

That day will always be special to Gina. Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and 3rd District Commissioner Mildred Fernandez proclaimed July 25 "Gina Marie Incandela Day" stating that "despite an early diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder, [Gina] exceeded all expectations and defied odds." The proclamation continued to acknowledge that Gina and her parents "worked very hard over the past few years to reach all the social and developmental goals set out for her, and after numerous occupational, speech, language and behavioral therapies, and with the loving support of her family, she has established herself as a vocal star."

Gina is best known for her National Anthem performances at the Orlando Magic games. She gained international recognition with her penetrating rendition at the recent NBA playoff games in the Amway Arena. "Gina Marie captured our collective hearts," Magic Vice-President of Communications and team spokesperson Joel Glass said. "She is absolutely remarkable and truly inspirational to everyone in the Magic family. While serving as the Magic good luck charm, she brought attention to autism and it is our hope that in ways big and small she provided her contagious inspiration to others."

Gina said that performing in front of 30,000 people is exciting for her. "When I sing the National Anthem, I feel like everyone is with me on the stage," she said. Mescall added that Gina will not even perform in small crowds. "If there is a group of eight people, Gina won't sing. But give her a packed stadium and she will sing her heart out."

Following her dreams, Gina is working on a collaboration album that will help benefit The Miracle Project and "is less about research and the cure and more about working to improve the quality of life for children and families with autism living today and applying the transformational techniques inherent in theater to bring out the ability within the disability," Diane Isaacs, executive producer of the project said.

The album, "Fly: Into the World of Autism," features the voices of children with autism. Several well-known artists will be contributing to the effort including Chaka Khan, Stephen Stills and Drew Seeley. Gina will also contribute to the song "Make Some Music" which features Seeley on lead vocals. Isaac's own autistic son, Wyatt, will sing a song with Jack Black featuring Stills on guitar.

Gina's part of the duet with Khan, "Butterfly," was recorded in her sister's room. It's a song about a young child who will emerge as a butterfly in her own time. Jason Lucas, wrote and produced the song and traveled from Los Angeles to Orlando, bringing with him the full, mobile recording equipment. "We were surrounded by stuffed animals and walls painted with cartoon characters, like a little wonderland," Lucas said. "I set up the studio on a children's tea party table and sat on a tiny plastic chair

"Gina would come in and record fifteen minute sessions with me for 2 days. She would step in like a professional, put on her headphones and just do it. Gina did not need two bars of introduction, just a few words. She was very well -rehearsed, thanks to her Mom and family, who provide a very supportive, progressive, yet normal environment."

Lucas described Gina as "a very happy, warm and loving youngster, who is a joy to hang out with." He recalled that Gina "memorized the string names on my guitar having heard them named one time. Two hours later, Michelle, her mother, asked her to name the strings and with very little hesitation and no flaws, she did." "When I first heard about Gina, I knew she had to sing on "Fly: Into the World of Autism" because she flies and redefines the common perception about what a child with autism can do," Isaacs said. "She is a shooting star, as are many of our other child singers. It is a celebration of the many voices of autism to open eyes, ears and hearts to this diagnosis."
The album is scheduled to be released this fall. Updates will be available at ginachildperformer.com/ and at www.themiracleproject.org/. Other celebrity contributors to the project include Rev. Run (from MTV's Runs House and Run DMC) , Ben Vereen, Babyface, Gary Cole and several others.

Gina was first diagnosed with autism when she was two years-old; however, her parents were not sure this diagnosis was correct because they were not familiar with the symptoms. Gina was unable to speak and did not associate with other children well. She would become frustrated and angry because she could not communicate the way she wanted to. Things seemed to be getting worse and not better. The Incandela's soon realized that what they had dismissed as "behavioral quirks" were actually symptoms of autism.

Gina received treatment at UCP of Central Florida from age two through five. She now attends a private school in Kissimmee. "We believe that the early diagnosis and early intervention along with the family support were crucial to her success," Michelle added.

Now, at age seven, Gina "works hard every day to function in a world which she perceives much differently than most," Michelle said. She explained that "through music therapy, Gina's speech improved and through speech therapy, her singing improved and it has brought her full circle."

"Gina does not really know that she has autism," Michelle said. "We have tried to explain it to her, but I don't think she is yet able to see those differences between herself and the other kids. If you ask her whether or not she is different from the other kids she will say 'Yes, I sing really good.' She sees her musical ability as the trait which makes her unique and not her autism."

Autism is a neurological disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life. The illness impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Those with autism may exhibit repeated body movements, unusual responses to other people, attachments to certain objects and have an aversion to any changes in routine activities. There is currently no cure for autism, but the illness is treatable. Donna Lorman, president of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando (http://www.asgo.org/), said that "Gina always amazes me and reminds me of the possibilities."

Donna Helsel, board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Greater Orlando (http://www.namigo.org/), heard Gina perform at the opening of the Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. "She is fantastic," Helsel said. "She is a wonderful example that early intervention and treatment works."

Gina has performed the National Anthem more than fifty times locally and across the country. In addition to opening for the Orlando Magic, she has appeared at Shea Stadium in New York, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and was also a guest on the Today Show. Recently, Gina was asked to return to New York for the US Open Tennis Championship on Labor Day weekend. Topping off her busy schedule, Gina is also working on new recordings of her own that will be available in various formats.

It's difficult to know what the future holds for Gina and her family, but Michelle explained that our plans are to support Gina and her dreams. We want both our girls to ultimately do what takes them happy in life and will do whatever we can to support them in their endeavors. Gina's career choice might change but, hopefully whatever she does it will be something that she loves."

Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is hosting the 5th annual Orlando Walk Now for Autism fund raising event on November 14. For further information, visit www.walknowforautism.org/orlando.

Additional photos of Gina can be viewed at www.bvphoto.net/musicians

Plum Island Director's StatementThe Director of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center today uttered an unequivocal denial that the Monster of Montauk came from the facility.

With the Monster of Montauk the hottest topic on Google Trends for the second day running, Associated Content called the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which jointly operate the facility, for a response to persistent speculation that the Montauk Monster is USDA property. As reported yesterday on Associated Content, the USDA's Plum Island Animal Disease Center is located not far from where the Montauk Monster washed ashore.

The close proximity of the Plum Island facility and the site of the Montauk Monster's discovery had fueled speculation that the Monster of Montauk is property of the USDA and may have been an experiment gone wrong or a byproduct of improper disposal.

Dr. Larry Barrett, Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Director, responded to a flood of media inquiries on the Montauk Monster by issuing the following statement:

"It is impossible to accurately identify the species of animal from the photo. There is no scale from which to judge its size. Additionally, when a body has had prolonged exposure to water and predators, it can be altered or appear different from its normal form. If we had the actual body, we could tell you what it is; however, from viewing a canine tooth in the picture, we could guess it may be a cat or raccoon. I can state categorically that it is not associated with the work performed at Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). PIADC serves as the nation's first line of defense against foreign animal diseases of livestock by identifying such diseases through diagnostic testing and by developing vaccines to protect livestock from those diseases."

Sandy Miller-Hays, of USDA, also said that there is no way the creature known as the Monster of Montauk came from Plum Island. She said that the research there involves barnyard animals, cows, pigs and sometimes sheep, used for research into foot and mouth disease. The Plum Island work is critical, Hays-Miller said, because export rules would prevent the United States from exporting any animal products for a full year if an outbreak of foot and mouth disease were to occur here. Emphasizing the impossibility of the Monster of Montauk being USDA property derived from Plum Island, Hays-Miller noted that all Plum Island research subject animals are euthanized and incinerated once research is complete.

Security at the facitlity is so tight that researchers entering and exiting the building must strip naked and enter a one way turnstile, then dress in facility provided clothes on the other side. Even jewelry and contact lenses must be removed during this process.

Yesterday's Associated Content article erred in stating that Plum Island is a level 4 faciltiy; it is actually level 3-ag and is not responsible for studying zoonotic diseases as stated in yesterday's article. The facility has done limited West Nile virus work but only to address its possible transmission among farm animals.

With the issuance of Dr. Barrett's statement, and the information provided by Miller-Hays, the mystery surrounding the Monster of Montauk seems to have dissipated. No aliens, no sinister government experiments and no devious publicity stunts. Just an unfortunate animal that met its demise.

Sources: interviews and emails with USDA and DHS officials

Plum Island Director's Statement

The Director of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center today uttered an unequivocal denial that the Monster of Montauk came from the facility.

With the Monster of Montauk the hottest topic on Google Trends for the second day running, Associated Content called the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which jointly operate the facility, for a response to persistent speculation that the Montauk Monster is USDA property. As reported yesterday on Associated Content, the USDA's Plum Island Animal Disease Center is located not far from where the Montauk Monster washed ashore.

The close proximity of the Plum Island facility and the site of the Montauk Monster's discovery had fueled speculation that the Monster of Montauk is property of the USDA and may have been an experiment gone wrong or a byproduct of improper disposal.

Dr. Larry Barrett, Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) Director, responded to a flood of media inquiries on the Montauk Monster by issuing the following statement:

"It is impossible to accurately identify the species of animal from the photo. There is no scale from which to judge its size. Additionally, when a body has had prolonged exposure to water and predators, it can be altered or appear different from its normal form. If we had the actual body, we could tell you what it is; however, from viewing a canine tooth in the picture, we could guess it may be a cat or raccoon. I can state categorically that it is not associated with the work performed at Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC). PIADC serves as the nation's first line of defense against foreign animal diseases of livestock by identifying such diseases through diagnostic testing and by developing vaccines to protect livestock from those diseases."

Sandy Miller-Hays, of USDA, also said that there is no way the creature known as the Monster of Montauk came from Plum Island. She said that the research there involves barnyard animals, cows, pigs and sometimes sheep, used for research into foot and mouth disease. The Plum Island work is critical, Hays-Miller said, because export rules would prevent the United States from exporting any animal products for a full year if an outbreak of foot and mouth disease were to occur here. Emphasizing the impossibility of the Monster of Montauk being USDA property derived from Plum Island, Hays-Miller noted that all Plum Island research subject animals are euthanized and incinerated once research is complete.

Security at the facitlity is so tight that researchers entering and exiting the building must strip naked and enter a one way turnstile, then dress in facility provided clothes on the other side. Even jewelry and contact lenses must be removed during this process.

Yesterday's Associated Content article erred in stating that Plum Island is a level 4 faciltiy; it is actually level 3-ag and is not responsible for studying zoonotic diseases as stated in yesterday's article. The facility has done limited West Nile virus work but only to address its possible transmission among farm animals.

With the issuance of Dr. Barrett's statement, and the information provided by Miller-Hays, the mystery surrounding the Monster of Montauk seems to have dissipated. No aliens, no sinister government experiments and no devious publicity stunts. Just an unfortunate animal that met its demise.

Sources: interviews and emails with USDA and DHS officials

Notable quotes about politics and politicians serve as definitions of the words. These quotes represent the public's image of the political system and good and bad politicians. Most of the quotes selected here are those that are cynical and often "cutting." The word "politics" comes from the classical Greek root form "politic," which means meaning "city," "citizen," "civic." Both the words "politics" and "politicians" have acquired negative connotations, often strongly so. For example, Greek philosophers like Plato described politics as "nothing but corruption."

Modern politics in the US highlights the public and personal aspects of politicians' lives. And, it is often scandals that are the downfall of politicians, even though they may not leave their office until the end of their term. When a skilled politician occupies an office, he or she can increase its credibility. However, not every politician will be able to form alliances or make the best policies of the position. Only some will not be without influence. However, success is rarely constant. Political winds shift and alliances change. Hence, the term of office of any politician may be marked by periods of greater and lesser success. The following cynical quotes give examples of the disdain for politics and how the lesser successes of politicians are often viewed.

One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don't go into government.-Donald Trump

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -Plato

Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.-Mao Tse-Tung

The trouble with this country is that there are too many politicians who believe, with a conviction based on experience, that you can fool all of the people all of the time.-Franklin P. Adams

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.-Henry Brooks Adams

The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.- Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno

Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father in the politics of when to go to bed; he who fears corruption fears life.- Saul David Alinsky

The truly skillful politician is one who, when he comes to a fork in the road, goes both ways. Marco A. Almazan

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.-Oscar Ameringer

I do not believe in political movements. I believe in personal movement, that movement of the soul when a man who looks at himself is so ashamed that he tries to make some sort of change-within himself, not on the outside.- Joseph Brodsky

Yes, we have to divide up our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever.- Albert Einstein

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.-Texas Guinan

In politics, madame, you need two things: friends, but above all an enemy.- Brian Mulroney

Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.- Thomas Jefferson

Politics are a labyrinth without a clue.- John Adams

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome. -Benjamin Whichcote

A politician is a person who thinks twice before he says nothing.- Joe Moore

Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.- Maria Montessori

A week is a long time in politics.- Harold Wilson

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground.-
Henry Louis Mencken

He knows nothing and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.- Sir Walter Besant

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.- Charles De Gaulle

Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds.- Henry Adams

Lighthouse: A tall building on the seashore in which the government maintains a lamp and the friend of a politician.- Anonymous

Nothing is so admirable in politics as a short memory.- John Kenneth Galbraith

I've seen many politicians paralyzed in the legs as myself, but I've seen more of them who were paralyzed in the head.-George Wallace

In political discussion heat is in inverse proportion to knowledge.-J. G. C. Minchin

The way my luck is running, if I were a politician I would be an honest man.-Rodney Dangerfield

Politics is like football. If you see daylight, go through the hole.- John F. Kennedy

We have two types of politicians-the incapable and those capable of anything.-Slogan written on a wall in Paraguay, according to the Economist

We have seen a growing mismatch between the command of media communication shown by the most talented politicians, and the halting, uneven progress which they can deliver through the machinery of government.- Tom Bentley, Director of Demos, a British Think Tank

The more successful a political party, the more winning its ways, the less of its time is spent casting about for policy or determining it principles. But, political parties with principles or even without them, have a common need for money; someone has to pay for the television commercials.- Dalton Camp, Canadian political commentator

In joining a political party, people shouldn't have to swear everlasting agreement with every jot and title of their party's policy manifesto. Debate, disagreement, argument, are good for democracy not bad.-William Watson, Columnist & McGill University Professor

If politicians lived on praise and thanks they'd be forced into some other line of business.- Edward Heath, British Prime Minister

There are two problems in my life. The political ones are insoluble and the economic ones are incomprehensible.- Sir Alec Douglas-Home, British Prime Minister

There seem to me to be very few facts, at least ascertainable facts, in politics.-Sir Robert Peel, British Prime Minister

Politics is like football. If you see daylight, go through the hole.- John F. Kennedy

The best time to listen to a politician is when he's on a stump on a street corner in the rain late at night when he's exhausted. Then he doesn't lie.-Theodore H. White

The world of politics is always twenty years behind the world of thought.- John Jay Chapman

Political work is the life-blood of all economic work.-Mao Tse-Tung

Becoming a politician is the only step down I could take from being a journalist.- Jim Hightower

Politics are, as it were, the market place and the price mechanism of all social demands - though there is no guarantee that a just price will be struck; and there is nothing spontaneous about politics- it depends on deliberate and continuous activity.- Bernard Crick

Finality is not the language of politics.- Benjamin Disraeli

There is no more independence in politics than there is in jail.- Will Rogers

When we win on an issue we call it leadership. When we lose, we call it politics. Practicing politics simply means increasing your options for effective results.- John Eldred

In politics as on a sickbed men toss from side to side in hope of lying more comfortably.-Goethe

The political process is not tied to any particular doctrine. Genuine political doctrines, rather, are the attempt to find particular and workable solutions to this perpetual and shifty problem of conciliation.- Bernard Crick

Politics I take to be the activity of attending to the general arrangements of a set of people whom chance or choice have brought together. In this sense, families, clubs, and learned societies have their ‘politics'. But the communities in which this manner of activities is pre-eminent are the hereditary co-operative groups, many of them of ancient lineage, all of them aware of a past, a present and a future, which we call states. For most people, political activity is a secondary activity - that is to say, they have something else to do beside attending to these arrangements. But the activity is one which every member of the group who is not a child nor a lunatic has some part and some responsibility.-Michael Oakshott

Politics, a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.-Ambrose Pierce

In politics the choice is constantly between two evils.- John Morley

Gratitude is not a normal feature of political life.-Lord Kilmuir

No political party has exclusive patent rights on prosperity.-Franklin Roosevelt

Politics makes strange post-masters.-Kin Hubbard

Politics is not like an ocean voyage or a military campaign… something which leaves off as soon as reached. It is not a public chore to be gotten over with. It is a way of life.- Plutarch

After long experience of politics, I have never found that there is any inhibition caused by ignorance as regards criticism.- Harold Macmillan

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.- Henry Brooke Adam

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge where there is no river.- Nikita Khrushchev

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.- Napoleon

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.- Ronald Reagan

Politics is the art of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.- John Galbraith

Politicians used to put out leaflets with pictures of their family and pet dog and copies of their lousy speeches and it would be enough. Unfortunately many politicians now just create a web site with pictures of their family and pet dog and their lousy speeches but it is not good enough.- Stephen Coleman, Oxford Internet Institute

The political technology of the Industrial age is no longer appropriate technology for the new civilization taking form around us. Our politics are obsolete.-Alvin Toffler

High-powered politicians had reams of statistics and analysis why a set of international investing rules would make the world a better place. They were no match, however, for a global ban of grass roots organizations, which, with little more than computers and access to the Internet, helped derail a deal.-Madelaine Drohan

Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.- Mao Tse Tung
When you argue or plead with a Politician, expecting him to suddenly become as smart as required by Law, you will have much greater Assurance in Hope and Fun watching the Melting of the Greenland Ice.-Poldi Meindl

It will never be possible for any length of time for any group of the American people, either by reason of wealth or learning or inheritance or economic power, to retain any mandate, any permanent authority to arrogate to itself the political control of American public life.-Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address, June, 1936

If you ever injected the truth into politics, you would have no politics.-Will Rogers

Politics, and the fate of man, are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness.-Albert Camus

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.-
Charles De Gaulle

The only people who say worse things about politicians than reporters do are other politicians.-Andy Rooney

Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.-Mao Tse-Tung

Nothing is so admirable in politics as a short memory.-John Kenneth Galbraith

All my games were political games; I was, like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.-Indira Nehru Gandhi

In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.-R. A. Butler

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.-
Robert Louis Stevenson

Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

The word politics is derived from the word poly, meaning many, and the word ticks, meaning bloodsucking parasites.-Larry Hardiman

A dilemma is a politician trying to save both of his faces at once.-John A. Lincoln

Render any politician down and there's enough fat to fry an egg.-Terence ''Spike" Milligan

In political discussion, heat is in inverse proportion to knowledge.-J. G. Minchin

In politics, people give you what they think you deserve, and deny you what you think you want.-Cecil Parkinson

Politicians are people who, when they see the light at the end of the tunnel, order more tunnel.-Sir John Quinton

The effectiveness of a politician varies in inverse proportion to his commitment to a principle.-Sam Shaffer

Take our politicians: they're a bunch of yo-yos. The presidency is now a cross between a popularity contest and a high school debate, with an encyclopedia of cliches the first prize.-Saul Bellow

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.-Ambrose Bierce

The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.-R. Buckminster Fuller

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.-Charles de Gaulle

Every politician should have been born an orphan and remain a bachelor.-Lady Bird Johnson

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.-Nikita Khrushchev

The politicians were talking themselves red, white and blue in the face.-Clare Boothe Luce

Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim.-
Thomas B. Macaulay

Turn on to politics, or politics will turn on you.-Ralph Nader

Notable quotes about politics and politicians serve as definitions of the words. These quotes represent the public's image of the political system and good and bad politicians. Most of the quotes selected here are those that are cynical and often "cutting." The word "politics" comes from the classical Greek root form "politic," which means meaning "city," "citizen," "civic." Both the words "politics" and "politicians" have acquired negative connotations, often strongly so. For example, Greek philosophers like Plato described politics as "nothing but corruption."

Modern politics in the US highlights the public and personal aspects of politicians' lives. And, it is often scandals that are the downfall of politicians, even though they may not leave their office until the end of their term. When a skilled politician occupies an office, he or she can increase its credibility. However, not every politician will be able to form alliances or make the best policies of the position. Only some will not be without influence. However, success is rarely constant. Political winds shift and alliances change. Hence, the term of office of any politician may be marked by periods of greater and lesser success. The following cynical quotes give examples of the disdain for politics and how the lesser successes of politicians are often viewed.

One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace, good people don't go into government.-Donald Trump

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -Plato

Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.-Mao Tse-Tung

The trouble with this country is that there are too many politicians who believe, with a conviction based on experience, that you can fool all of the people all of the time.-Franklin P. Adams

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.-Henry Brooks Adams

The hardest thing about any political campaign is how to win without proving that you are unworthy of winning.- Theodor Wiesengrund Adorno

Life is a corrupting process from the time a child learns to play his mother off against his father in the politics of when to go to bed; he who fears corruption fears life.- Saul David Alinsky

The truly skillful politician is one who, when he comes to a fork in the road, goes both ways. Marco A. Almazan

Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.-Oscar Ameringer

I do not believe in political movements. I believe in personal movement, that movement of the soul when a man who looks at himself is so ashamed that he tries to make some sort of change-within himself, not on the outside.- Joseph Brodsky

Yes, we have to divide up our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever.- Albert Einstein

A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.-Texas Guinan

In politics, madame, you need two things: friends, but above all an enemy.- Brian Mulroney

Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.- Thomas Jefferson

Politics are a labyrinth without a clue.- John Adams

Among politicians the esteem of religion is profitable; the principles of it are troublesome. -Benjamin Whichcote

A politician is a person who thinks twice before he says nothing.- Joe Moore

Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.- Maria Montessori

A week is a long time in politics.- Harold Wilson

A politician is an animal which can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground.-
Henry Louis Mencken

He knows nothing and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career.- Sir Walter Besant

I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.- Charles De Gaulle

Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always been the systematic organization of hatreds.- Henry Adams

Lighthouse: A tall building on the seashore in which the government maintains a lamp and the friend of a politician.- Anonymous

Nothing is so admirable in politics as a short memory.- John Kenneth Galbraith

I've seen many politicians paralyzed in the legs as myself, but I've seen more of them who were paralyzed in the head.-George Wallace

In political discussion heat is in inverse proportion to knowledge.-J. G. C. Minchin

The way my luck is running, if I were a politician I would be an honest man.-Rodney Dangerfield

Politics is like football. If you see daylight, go through the hole.- John F. Kennedy

We have two types of politicians-the incapable and those capable of anything.-Slogan written on a wall in Paraguay, according to the Economist

We have seen a growing mismatch between the command of media communication shown by the most talented politicians, and the halting, uneven progress which they can deliver through the machinery of government.- Tom Bentley, Director of Demos, a British Think Tank

The more successful a political party, the more winning its ways, the less of its time is spent casting about for policy or determining it principles. But, political parties with principles or even without them, have a common need for money; someone has to pay for the television commercials.- Dalton Camp, Canadian political commentator

In joining a political party, people shouldn't have to swear everlasting agreement with every jot and title of their party's policy manifesto. Debate, disagreement, argument, are good for democracy not bad.-William Watson, Columnist & McGill University Professor

If politicians lived on praise and thanks they'd be forced into some other line of business.- Edward Heath, British Prime Minister

There are two problems in my life. The political ones are insoluble and the economic ones are incomprehensible.- Sir Alec Douglas-Home, British Prime Minister

There seem to me to be very few facts, at least ascertainable facts, in politics.-Sir Robert Peel, British Prime Minister

Politics is like football. If you see daylight, go through the hole.- John F. Kennedy

The best time to listen to a politician is when he's on a stump on a street corner in the rain late at night when he's exhausted. Then he doesn't lie.-Theodore H. White

The world of politics is always twenty years behind the world of thought.- John Jay Chapman

Political work is the life-blood of all economic work.-Mao Tse-Tung

Becoming a politician is the only step down I could take from being a journalist.- Jim Hightower

Politics are, as it were, the market place and the price mechanism of all social demands - though there is no guarantee that a just price will be struck; and there is nothing spontaneous about politics- it depends on deliberate and continuous activity.- Bernard Crick

Finality is not the language of politics.- Benjamin Disraeli

There is no more independence in politics than there is in jail.- Will Rogers

When we win on an issue we call it leadership. When we lose, we call it politics. Practicing politics simply means increasing your options for effective results.- John Eldred

In politics as on a sickbed men toss from side to side in hope of lying more comfortably.-Goethe

The political process is not tied to any particular doctrine. Genuine political doctrines, rather, are the attempt to find particular and workable solutions to this perpetual and shifty problem of conciliation.- Bernard Crick

Politics I take to be the activity of attending to the general arrangements of a set of people whom chance or choice have brought together. In this sense, families, clubs, and learned societies have their ‘politics'. But the communities in which this manner of activities is pre-eminent are the hereditary co-operative groups, many of them of ancient lineage, all of them aware of a past, a present and a future, which we call states. For most people, political activity is a secondary activity - that is to say, they have something else to do beside attending to these arrangements. But the activity is one which every member of the group who is not a child nor a lunatic has some part and some responsibility.-Michael Oakshott

Politics, a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.-Ambrose Pierce

In politics the choice is constantly between two evils.- John Morley

Gratitude is not a normal feature of political life.-Lord Kilmuir

No political party has exclusive patent rights on prosperity.-Franklin Roosevelt

Politics makes strange post-masters.-Kin Hubbard

Politics is not like an ocean voyage or a military campaign… something which leaves off as soon as reached. It is not a public chore to be gotten over with. It is a way of life.- Plutarch

After long experience of politics, I have never found that there is any inhibition caused by ignorance as regards criticism.- Harold Macmillan

Practical politics consists in ignoring facts.- Henry Brooke Adam

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge where there is no river.- Nikita Khrushchev

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.- Napoleon

Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book.- Ronald Reagan

Politics is the art of choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.- John Galbraith

Politicians used to put out leaflets with pictures of their family and pet dog and copies of their lousy speeches and it would be enough. Unfortunately many politicians now just create a web site with pictures of their family and pet dog and their lousy speeches but it is not good enough.- Stephen Coleman, Oxford Internet Institute

The political technology of the Industrial age is no longer appropriate technology for the new civilization taking form around us. Our politics are obsolete.-Alvin Toffler

High-powered politicians had reams of statistics and analysis why a set of international investing rules would make the world a better place. They were no match, however, for a global ban of grass roots organizations, which, with little more than computers and access to the Internet, helped derail a deal.-Madelaine Drohan

Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.- Mao Tse Tung
When you argue or plead with a Politician, expecting him to suddenly become as smart as required by Law, you will have much greater Assurance in Hope and Fun watching the Melting of the Greenland Ice.-Poldi Meindl

It will never be possible for any length of time for any group of the American people, either by reason of wealth or learning or inheritance or economic power, to retain any mandate, any permanent authority to arrogate to itself the political control of American public life.-Franklin D. Roosevelt, Address, June, 1936

If you ever injected the truth into politics, you would have no politics.-Will Rogers

Politics, and the fate of man, are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness.-Albert Camus

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.-
Charles De Gaulle

The only people who say worse things about politicians than reporters do are other politicians.-Andy Rooney

Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.-Mao Tse-Tung

Nothing is so admirable in politics as a short memory.-John Kenneth Galbraith

All my games were political games; I was, like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.-Indira Nehru Gandhi

In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.-R. A. Butler

Politics is perhaps the only profession for which no preparation is thought necessary.-
Robert Louis Stevenson

Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

The word politics is derived from the word poly, meaning many, and the word ticks, meaning bloodsucking parasites.-Larry Hardiman

A dilemma is a politician trying to save both of his faces at once.-John A. Lincoln

Render any politician down and there's enough fat to fry an egg.-Terence ''Spike" Milligan

In political discussion, heat is in inverse proportion to knowledge.-J. G. Minchin

In politics, people give you what they think you deserve, and deny you what you think you want.-Cecil Parkinson

Politicians are people who, when they see the light at the end of the tunnel, order more tunnel.-Sir John Quinton

The effectiveness of a politician varies in inverse proportion to his commitment to a principle.-Sam Shaffer

Take our politicians: they're a bunch of yo-yos. The presidency is now a cross between a popularity contest and a high school debate, with an encyclopedia of cliches the first prize.-Saul Bellow

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.-Ambrose Bierce

The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.-R. Buckminster Fuller

In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate.-Charles de Gaulle

Every politician should have been born an orphan and remain a bachelor.-Lady Bird Johnson

Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.-Nikita Khrushchev

The politicians were talking themselves red, white and blue in the face.-Clare Boothe Luce

Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim.-
Thomas B. Macaulay

Turn on to politics, or politics will turn on you.-Ralph Nader


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