The United States established itself as a trustworthy new nation in its first two decades after the Revolutionary War by paying its debts even when many in the country believed it had no obligation to do so. Alexander Hamilton the founder of this newspaper insisted on it.

I took piano for many years. I kicked and screamed through all of my lessons but my mom really insisted.

Imagine my surprise when after a lifetime of teaching me to keep personal things to myself Mom insisted my drawings were the start of a comic strip for millions of people to enjoy.

My mom insisted on multigrain bread and never allowed soda in the house.

All around me insisted that my doubts proved only my own ignorance and sinfulness that they knew by experience they would soon give place to true knowledge and an advance in religion and I felt something like indecision.

The United States have fulfilled in good faith all their treaty stipulations with the Indian tribes and have in every other instance insisted upon a like performance of their obligations.

But courage which goes against military expediency is stupidity or if it is insisted upon by a commander irresponsibility.

As somebody who in my second marriage insisted on a prenuptial agreement I can also testify that sometimes it is an act of love to chart the exit strategy before you enter the union in order to make sure that not only you but your partner as well knows that there will be no World War III should hearts and minds for any sad reason change.

My mother is a big believer in being responsible for your own happiness. She always talked about finding joy in small moments and insisted that we stop and take in the beauty of an ordinary day. When I stop the car to make my kids really see a sunset I hear my mother's voice and smile.

It is impossible as impossible as to raise the dead to restore anything that has ever been great or beautiful in architecture. That which I have insisted upon as the life of the whole that spirit which is given only by the hand and eye of the workman can never be recalled.