Boutros Boutros-Ghali

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the first African Secretary General of the United Nations, has more than a passing interest in politics. His grandfather, Boutros Ghali, the only Christian prime minister of Egypt, was shot by an assassin in 1910. Cairo crowds hailed his Moslem killer, but the family did not intend anyone to forget the grandfather. They adopted his given name, Boutros (Peter), and anointed the new grandchild with the same given name. The family then built a church in Cairo to honor the martyred patriarch. “On his tomb were the words ‘God is witness that I served my country to the best of my ability,’“ says Boutros-Ghali. “For a boy to grow up with such things creates an impact. I felt I would betray the tradition of our family if I didn’t play a political role.”

Stanley Meisler in Los Angeles Times Magazine, in Reader’s Digest

Albert Einstein

It seems that famed scientist Albert Einstein had more trouble finding his way home from work than he did finding the key to atomic power. One evening as Einstein sat deep in thought aboard the train that brought him home each night, the porter approached to collect his ticket. Einstein rummaged around in his coat, through his pockets, in his shirt, and everywhere else he could think of, growing alarmed at his inability to find the ticket.

“That’s okay, Dr. Einstein,” said the porter. “I know you ride this train every day. I can collect tomorrow.”

“That’s fine for you, young man,” Einstein replied, “but how am I supposed to know where to get off the train without my ticket?”

Source unknown

Living in the Past

Men who live in the past remind me of a toy I’m sure all of you have seen. The toy is a small wooden bird called the “Floogie Bird.” Around the Floogie Bird’s neck is a label reading, “I fly backwards, I don’t care where I’m going. I just want to see where I’ve been.

The Words of Harry S. Truman, selected by Robert J. Donovan

Wrong Way

In November, 1975, 75 convicts started digging a secret tunnel designed to bring them up at the other side of the wall of Saltillo Prison in northern Mexico. On April 18, 1976, guided by pure genius, they tunneled up into the nearby courtroom in which many of them had been sentenced. The surprised judges returned all 75 to jail.

September, 1980, Campus Life

Crazy Gunman

A man on a flight across America in 1976 rose from his seat, drew a gun and took the stewardess hostage. “Take me to Detroit,” he said. “We’re already going to Detroit,” she replied.

“Oh...good,” he said and sat down again.

Source unknown

Directionless

There is a story of Albert Einstein on a train. Everyone is his car recognized him and knew who he was. Prior to the train leaving the station, the conductor made his routine inspection to ensure that each passenger had their tickets. The conductor noticed Einstein fumbling through his things, in his pockets, and papers. When the conductor reached him, Einstein admitted that he had lost his ticket and could not remember his stop! "That's no problem Mr.Einstein," the conductor replied, "we know who you are." Einstein responded, "I know who I am too, but I do not know where I am going!" (Many people in life do not know where they are going...whether to heaven or to hell; let alone what God's purpose for them is.) Paul J. Bowen