The idea of American exceptionalism doesn't extend to Americans being exceptional. Maureen Dowd More Quotes by Maureen Dowd More Quotes From Maureen Dowd The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for. Maureen Dowd motivational-sports success funny The sounds of silence are a dim recollection now, like mystery, privacy and paying attention to one thing — or one person — at a time. Maureen Dowd silence sound attention When you're young, and even at times when you're older, it's hard to fathom this: What needs to be nurtured is the stuff that's different, that sets you apart from the pack, rather than the stuff that helps you blend in. Maureen Dowd different stuff needs Wooing the press is an exercise roughly akin to picnicking with a tiger. You might enjoy the meal, but the tiger always eats last. Maureen Dowd meals exercise might Celebrity distorts democracy by giving the rich, beautiful, and famous more authority than they deserve. Maureen Dowd democracy beautiful giving When I need to work up my nerve to write a tough column, I try to think of myself as Emma Peel in a black leather catsuit. Maureen Dowd black writing thinking Paul Ryan, who teamed up with Akin in the House to sponsor harsh anti-abortion bills, may look young and hip and new generation, with his iPod full of heavy metal jams and his cute kids. But he's just a fresh face on a Taliban creed - the evermore antediluvian, anti-women, anti-immigrant, anti-gay conservative core. Amiable in khakis and polo shirts, Ryan is the perfect modern leader to rally medieval Republicans who believe that Adam and Eve cavorted with dinosaurs. Maureen Dowd cute believe kids The Republicans, with their crazed Reagan fixation, are a last-gasp party, living posthumously, fighting battles on sex, race, immigration and public education long ago won by the other side. They're trying to roll back the clock, but time is passing them by. Maureen Dowd party fighting sex Everybody is continuously connected to everybody else on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Reddit, e-mailing, texting, faster and faster, with the flood of information jeopardizing meaning. Everybody's talking at once in a hypnotic, hyper din: the cocktail party from hell. Maureen Dowd cocktail-parties party talking Since Hillary Clinton is the first time we've had a woman who was a serious contender for president, it's been an adjustment to watch her more changeable looks, and to see the lengths she goes to get the right lighting and to make the right wardrobe choices. Her campaign is devising strategies to humanize her and make her seem more warm and maternal. Maureen Dowd serious choices president Just because digital technology makes connecting possible doesn't mean you're actually reaching people. Maureen Dowd technology mean people As a woman, I know that if I write about another woman, it will be perceived as a catfight. Maureen Dowd another-woman knows writing Perpetual optimism is annoying. It is a sign that you are not paying attention. Maureen Dowd optimism annoying attention Celebrity is the religion of our time. Maureen Dowd our-time IT is an astonishing thing that historians will look back and puzzle over, that in the 21st century, American women were such hunted creatures. Even as Republicans try to wrestle women into chastity belts, the Vatican is trying to muzzle American nuns. Maureen Dowd muzzle trying looks Yet it's true that looks matter in politics... It is also true that perfecting the outer shell has become an obsession in this country... Mitt Romney, Barack Obama and John Edwards almost always look good, and pretty much the same, in dark suits or casual wear. Fred Thompson always looks crepuscular and droopy. Often Hillary Clinton looks great, and sometimes she looks tired, heavier or puffier. Maureen Dowd tired dark country Americans want to be protected, but not at the cost of vitiating the values that make us Americans. Maureen Dowd protected cost want Digital platforms are worthless without content. They're shiny sacks with bells and whistles, but without content, they're empty sacks. It is not about pixels versus print. It is not about how you're reading. It is about what you're reading. Maureen Dowd pixels bells reading The Clintons want to do big worthy things, but they also want to squeeze money from rich people wherever they live on planet Earth, insatiably gobbling up cash for politics and charity and themselves from the same incestuous swirl. Maureen Dowd charity earth people If you're famous enough, the rules don't apply. Maureen Dowd ifs enough
