Sunday, September 28, 2008

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy"


"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" was a phrase spoken by American Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator Dan Quayle during the 1988 vice-presidential debate. Jack Kennedy was a reference to John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. Since then, the words "You're no Jack Kennedy," or some other variation on Bentsen's famous remark, have become a part of the political lexicon as a way to deflate politicians or other individuals who think too highly of themselves.



Dan Quayle: I have far more experience than many others that sought the office of vice president of this country. I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency. I will be prepared to deal with the people in the Bush administration, if that unfortunate event would ever occur.

Judy Woodruff: Senator [Bentsen]?

Bentsen: Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy: I knew Jack Kennedy; Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Memory

Memory's a funny thing, isnt't. You don't agree? I don't agree either. Memory has never amused me much, and I find its tricks more and more wearisome as I grow older.
...Perhaps memory simply stays the same but has less work to do as the days fill out. My memory's in good shape, I think. It's just that my life is getting less memorable all the time. Can you remember where you left those keys? Why should you? Lying in the tub some slow afternoon, can yoyu remember if you've washed your toes? (Taking a leak is boring, isn't, after the first few thousand times? Whew, isn't that a drag?) I can't remember half the stuff I do any more. But I don't want to much.

La memoria es muy graciosa, ¿verdad? ¿No están de acuerdo? Yo tampoco. Jamás me ha divertido la memoria, y a medida que voy haciéndome mayor, menos graciosos me parecen sus chistes. Es posible que la memoria no cambie, pero conforme van pasando los días, cada vez tiene menos cosas que registrar. Me parece que mi memoria está en forma. Lo único que pasa es que mi vida me parece cada vez menos memorable. ¿Te acuerdas de dónde dejaste aquellas llaves? ¿Y por qué tendría que acordarme? ¿Te acuerdas de aquel día en la bañera? ¿Te lavaste también los dedos de los pies? (Qué aburrido es echar una meada, sobre todo después de las primeras mil veces. Fiú, qué rollo, ¿no?) Ya no consigo recordar ni la mitad de las cosas que hago. Pero tampoco hago gran cosa.

El protagonista de Money de Martin Amis

Thursday, September 25, 2008

...like tears in the rain.


"I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those … moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to die."

"Yo he visto cosas que vosotros no creeríais. Atacar naves en llamas más allá de Orión. He visto Rayos-C brillar en la oscuridad cerca de la Puerta de Tannhäuser. Todos esos momentos se perderán en el tiempo como lágrimas en la lluvia. Es hora de morir."


Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tuesday, September 23, 2008