History doesn't turn on a dime; it turns on a plugged nickel. Jeff Greenfield More Quotes by Jeff Greenfield More Quotes From Jeff Greenfield For millions, Roger Ebert will be remembered as a writer and television personality who brought a sense of passion and excellence to his craft. For me, he is a man who fused joy and courage as few others ever have. My life was enriched by having such a friend; it is poorer for losing such a friend. Jeff Greenfield passion personality men George Washington, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower all rode their wartime heroics into the White House. Jeff Greenfield dwight-eisenhower white house In early 1961 a new president, John F. Kennedy, was told by military leaders and civilian officials that the Kingdom of Laos - of no conceivable strategic importance to the U.S. - required the presence of American troops and perhaps even tactical nuclear weapons. Why? Because if Laos fell, Asia would go red from Thailand to Indonesia. Jeff Greenfield leader military president Describing the jury in the OJ Simpson murder trial: These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder. Jeff Greenfield murder trials people Victory has 1,000 fathers; defeat has 1,000 kibitzers. Jeff Greenfield victory political father There is no such thing as political science, but there are tenancies so strong that they might as well be called laws of nature. Jeff Greenfield political strong law A citizen at his home in Rockford, Illinois, or Boulder, Colorado, could read a newspaper, listen to a radio, or watch the round-the-clock coverage on television, but he had no way of connecting with those who shared his views. Nor was there a quick, readily available tool for an ordinary citizen to gather information on his own. In 1960, communication was a one-way street, and information was fundamentally inaccessible. The whole idea of summoning up data or reaching thousands of individuals with the touch of a finger was a science-fiction fantasy. Jeff Greenfield communication home ideas Television is one of the most fickle businesses that there are, you are in favour one minute and out the next. Jeff Greenfield fickle favour business If the court strikes down the Defense of Marriage Act, is that a 'liberal' result enabling gay couples married in states where gay marriage is legal to enjoy the same economic advantages that federal laws now grant to straight couples? Or is it a 'conservative' ruling, limiting the federal government's ability to override state power? Jeff Greenfield gay government couple It strikes me as a sound, honest statement for a prospective voter to say: 'Look, I haven't given this election a minute's thought, and it's just not fair for me to cancel out the vote of someone who actually gives a damn.' Indeed, it's not just sound and honest - it's the ethically responsible thing to do. Jeff Greenfield sound giving looks When an office-holder facing a multi-count indictment says that he has decided to spend more time with his family, the proper response is a horse-laugh. When an accused politician explains that a charge of corruption is 'really' an attack on his or her race, religion, ethnic background or gender, the odds that something felonious happened jumps. Jeff Greenfield horse odds race Something about her eyes or voice has always suggested the hint of a free spirit, trapped in a Peck and Peck cage, dreaming of making rude noises at public gatherings of Republicans. Jeff Greenfield freedom eye dream Think about one of the most powerful influences on a young child's life - the absence of a father figure. Look back on recent presidents, and you'll find an absent, or weak, or failed father in the lives of Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Jeff Greenfield powerful father children These people have served a longer sentence than some people who have committed murder. (describing the jury in the OJ Simpson murder trial) Jeff Greenfield You got the first phase of early adopters. But it's no longer that first tier that you're interested in, they don't have a choice. They have to advertise. Jeff Greenfield technology One of the litmus tests for judicial conservatism is the idea of judicial restraint - that courts should give substantial deference to the decisions of the political process. When Congress and the president enact a law, conservatives generally say, judges should avoid 'legislating from the bench.' Jeff Greenfield say political process law In the many-mansioned house of Alternate History, I occupy a small corner. The trio of what-ifs I chronicled in 'Then Everything Changed' all begin with tiny, highly plausible twists of fate that lead to hugely consequential shifts in history. Jeff Greenfield small fate house history I got into television because I hated it so. I thought, there's some way of using this fabulous instrument to be of nurture to those who would watch and listen. Jeff Greenfield listen thought television way The Supreme Being I would sign up for would not prove his omnipotence by saving one life while ending dozens, or hundreds, or thousands. Nor would he summon an angel to heaven by ending a first grader's life at the hands of a gunman or sadist. Jeff Greenfield ending angel life hands So you wake up this morning and find you're president of the United States. Pretty cool, no? Helicopters and a 747 at your disposal; courtside seats at any NBA playoff game of your choice; everyone stands up and the band plays when you come into the room. Jeff Greenfield game cool you morning