Guest Blog: They Were Parents First

Thanks to all who contributed making this a fabulous week (and not just because I'm tanning on a beach)!

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I am not sure exactly how I bumped into Jim, other than when he was in NYC our code for knowing who was who was a rockstar hand symbol. Oh, you the one. \m/ . You didn't? Well, then you can't roll with us anyhow. If I wasn't smitten with his writing it was most defiantly his cutness called Fury and he has dogs. Oh, and he cooks. And I was able to convince him to neglect his other 3,012 blogs to help support my traffic while I lay on the beach and drink beer. Heh. Friends.

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Hi there, BusyDad here. You may have heard of me. You may have even read my blog before. Some of you may even think I'm a cool dude. But don't think for a second that I don't realize that the only reason you know and like me at all is because I am a parent. Without the "Dad" I would just be Busy. Not so catchy. Same with SmartAss Mom. Without the "Mom" she'd just be SmartAss. Not so appealing. Being a parent is a big part of what defines us both. So I got to thinking. Maybe being a parent has been the driving force behind the greatness of others. Perhaps even some of the greatest, most illustrious personalities in recorded history?

So I did a little research. Turns out, if you break down some of the quotes attributed to many historial figures, there's a commonality that they all share: they were inspired by things they first said -- as parents.

Take for example, John F. Kennedy's quote:
"All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."

You know this was inspired by a lesser-known utterance he had just spoken 3 days earlier:
"Goddamit, John John! What, did a tornado hit your bedroom? You will clean this friggin mess if it takes all day!"

Makes sense, right? Here are some other famous quotes, along with what really inspired them:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt said:
"The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."
(Son, why are there mudpies on the grill? Wait, no, no, no, the Cephalon is not for dirt stew. OH no you didn't. The Cuisinart??)

Julius Caesar said:
"Men willingly believe what they wish."
(No, that Strawberry Pop Tart is not fruit.)

Alexander the Great said:
"Heaven cannot brook two suns, nor earth two masters."
(Sorry kids, the Ben 10 game doesn’t have 2-player mode.)

Mao Tse Tung said:
"I have witnessed the tremendous energy of the masses. On this foundation it is possible to accomplish any task whatsoever."
(Dude, these birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese...)

"To read too many books is harmful."
(Fine, just one more story. Last one, ok? Daddy’s beat.)

Napoleon Bonaparte said:
"An army marches on its stomach."
(Will you all just pipe down back there? You’ll get your Happy Meal!)

General George S. Patton said:
"If a man does his best, what else is there?"
(Aw thanks, kid! It says... Hapee Burthdiay Dad... you did that all by yourself?)

Abraham Lincoln said:
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
(Wait. You just said you wanted Mac n' Cheese! PB & J? That’s what I gave you first! So you want PB & J or no? Nuggets? No wait – what??)

George Washington said:
"Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession."
(Kiddo, don’t put that in your—hey! Spiiit it ouuuuut. Spiiiiiit it ouuuuuuut. Come on, spiiiiit it... Martha! Next time don’t leave my cufflinks on the kitchen table, k?)

"Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government."
(Ok kids, fess up. Who drew on Grandma’s face?)

Fidel Castro said:
"Men do not shape destiny, Destiny produces the man for the hour."
(Wait. I thought you said you were on the pill...)

President Obama said:
"My faith is one that admits some doubt."
(They’re both napping?? You’re shittin' me.)

President Obama also said:
"Why can’t I just eat my waffle?"
(Why can’t I just eat my waffle?)