We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.
Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]
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Samizdata quote of the day The administration has sent you here today to convince the members of these two committees and the Congress that victory is at hand. With all due respect, I don’t buy it.
– Tom Lantos, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs committee, accusing General David Petraeus political motivations when delivering his report on military progress in Iraq. And of course a seeker-of-truth like Tom Landos’ utterances on the military situation could not possibly be motived by political considerations, right?
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“… the Iraq Stock Exchange is up 64% this year.”
— from “STOCKS DON’T LIE”
And I’m also sure that Tom Lantos came with an open mind. Sure you bet. This WSJ opinion piece seems about right:
(Link)
As Mr Lantos had clearly written his comment before he heard the General in command in Iraq say a word, the openess of the Congressman to evidence and rational argument can not be doubted.
Mr Tom Lantos can be grateful for the fact it is General Petraeus in the witness box and not General Brian. If he spoke to me like that he’d be picking his fucking teeth up off the floor.
As a once upon a time potential general, I’d like to agree with Brian.
However, it wouldn’t help. We exist in a world where a complete fake can insult you to your face with false facts and if you lose your temper, you are forever wrong and he is right.
This started happening about the time that many American men realized that, like their hero Clinton, if they just brazened their way through they could make themselves and others believe that the all weaseling they did to avoid service during Vietnam was OK. That’s their story and they are sticking to it.
That’s not as clear as I’d like to make it but it was the birth of ‘spin’ – if you’re clever enough, you make truth look like lies and the reverse. James Carville, for example, has built an entire career on that.
It was striking to watch the juxtaposition of the strong and articulate General Patreus and Ambassdor Crocker to the old, weak, and painfully fearful democrats. Here the the US of A, we are assured by the dying legacy media that democrats are the party of youth and vigor.
….go figure.