John Skinner

“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS"Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clearTo outward view, of blemish or of spot;Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot,Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appearOf Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year,Or man or woman. Yet I argue notAgainst heavns hand or will, nor bate a jotOf heart or hope; but still bear vp and steerRight onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply’dIn libertyes defence, my noble task,Of which all Europe talks from side to side.This thought might lead me through the world’s vain maskContent though blind, had I no better guide.””

“How grave a disappointment it must be to our great President, who has exerted himself so to bring the German people to reason, to make them understand the horror that they alone have brought deliberately upon the world! Alas! Far from it. Indeed, they have attempted with insidious propaganda to undermine the morale of our troops….” A little storm of muttered epithets went through the room. The Reverend Dr. Skinner elevated his chubby pink palms and smiled benignantly…"to undermine the morale of our troops; so that the most stringent regulations have had to be made by the commanding general to prevent it. Indeed, my friends, I very much fear that we stopped too soon in our victorious advance; that Germany should have been utterly crushed. But all we can do is watch and wait, and abide by the decision of those great men who in a short time will be gathered together at the Conference at Paris….””

“Mom: Your hair is getting long. Who are you trying to be? John Lennon? David: Cher. Mom: Your voice isn't deep enough.””