Ghost of a flea

Well it's a good start. I'm reserving judgment until he walks the walk in addition to talking the talk.

Absolutely. Though even if they back up the accordion and get out of the road it will be a vast improvement over the alternative.

I’ll wait to see what Sarkozy actually accomplishes—the institutional resistance to reform is even greater in France than it is in the US, and that’s saying something—but he’s a welcome change from that corrupt swine Chirac. And certainly better than the alternative.

Speaking of talking the talk, Fred’s sounding pretty good these days, isn’t he?

While this is not something I would expect the "polite company" of our academic, media and political elites to grasp, I think Fred Thompson is sharp enough to be a blogger. From reading and listening to him it seems he actually understands the civilization-level crisis confronting us; not something I can say for politician (with the possible exception of John Howard).

Yes all good news but one wee point:

"...observed President Reagan from the Russian..."

I seem to recall that Regan claimed it was an "old Russian proverb" when he said that but he just made it up. It is still good advice.

That's another one from your "plastic" turkey file, Alan. Damon Runyon is sometimes credited with using the phrase. Though there is the remotest possibility it is just a translation of doveryai, no proveryai which is, for example, Russian. And a proverb. Which he learned from Suzanne Massie. But, hey, that is only according to The Atlantic and what do they know.

Though I suppose Reagan might have had the proverb disembark its passengers and have activated his speech with a controlled demolition. Also, it is impossible for fire to melt steel. And what about WMDs.

Etc.

Sadly, all I can go by is the recognition at the time that he fudged that bit of Russianesque text. Twenty odd years and wikipedia, however, can provide for a very generous amount of backseat driving in reverse. It's very much like kindergarten craft time if you think about it.

Still with the "plastic" turkey. I suppose the 1993 Atlantic article I linked factors into your conspiracy somehow too. This is the logic that keeps you voting NDP. Something to remember the next time mere proof conflicts with your prejudices.

You are too mean but I was too. My real point is that I do believe that I recall what I recall and one cannot shed such echoes even if they reveal one's own prejudices even if I have no conspiracies to hold on to. You see, the Soviets laughed every time (as the 1987 reports show) he said this and there was word of a twisting of "verify" as well as the idea that it was a common saying. I have, however, Sovietologists on the case. Plus it's not a proverb - its a maxim. So there.

The Chewbacca Defense may fly in Kingston legal circles, sir, but not in this corner of the rightosphere.

Sadly, I have to live with my decision to make my own limitations part of my performance art that goes undervalues on the internets. Yet there is it. Can a man live by the principle of Chewbacca defense? Does anyone not? That is my unvalued gift to the world.