brick.

better to be a strong man with a weak point, than to be a weak man without a strong point.  a diamond with a flaw is more valuable than a brick without a flaw.
{william j.h. boetcker}

down.

there is no "slippery slope" toward loss of liberties, only a long staircase where each step downward must first be tolerated by the american people and their leaders.
{alan k. simpson}