A breakthrough for the US - and maybe Mr Bush

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 12/15/03 | Alec Russell

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I bet Saddam knows where Usama is.

I bet he can be persuaded to tell what he knows.

[MinuteGal]

I've been "cock-a-hoop" all day. Don't know quite what it means (afraid to ask), but it shoor feels good!

Leni

[EGPWS]

The signs were yesterday that the White House intended to be a "graceful winner" and not to gloat - although gloating they no doubt were over the headlines of yesterday's Washington Post, which trailed a speech by Howard Dean, the front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

A great day, the press is to the point of promoting Presidentual "gloat issues".

Dubya' is sitting pretty politically.

[LadyDoc]

I bet Saddam knows where Usama is.

Osama is also in a hole...a hole made by a daisy cutter. There has been no real proof he is alive since we hit tora bora with daisy cutters. Even the "film" of him slogging around the mountains showed a younger man during a different time of year...suggesting it was a remade film. Ditto for the "Tapes" which anyone with a simple computer could fake...

[Rocko]

1. Being in a state of boastful elation or exultation.

[Senator Pardek]

Agreed - it's so easy to videotape someone and sneak it to an Arab media outlet - he's toast.

[stripes1776]

I've been "cock-a-hoop" all day

I laughed when I saw that term in the article. So I looked it up in my dictionary. It means "Being in a state of boastful elation or exultation." I think that describes my state of being perfectly.

The term comes from the phrase "to set cock on hoop," meaning to drink festively. That I haven't been doing, but the night is still young.

As far as I can figure it out, a cock is a faucet or value by which the flow of a liquid can be regulated. A hoop is the metal or wood ring around a barrel that keeps the staves in place. To set cock on hoop must mean to tap a keg and start the party.

[Senator Pardek]

2. Being askew.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

"Mr. Bush"?

[expatpat]

No, it refers to the Cock who struts and crows on top of the chicken-coop after he's had a particularly good time 'feathering' his hens.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Osama is also in a hole...a hole made by a daisy cutter.

I'd settle for him telling where to find the body.

Usama proven dead and Saddam transformed into a trained monkey...

What more could you ask for?

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Has anyone been tracking all of the areas where the dimwits have tried to attack Bush politically? He is always two moves ahead of the "critics".

[MinuteGal]

I was afraid to ask for fear it might be dirty, heheh.

I think I'll use cock-a-hoop from now on as it's easier to spell than "schadenfreud". Plus I'm boycotting all German words for the duration.

Danke shoen to all of you.

Leni

[YankeeinOkieville]

Here's my mug - DON'T hold muh beer. LET IT FLOW!!

[OldPossum]

Regarding your inquiry about the reference to "Mr. Bush," I would not have worded it that way but it is accepted practice in the newspaper business. I suspect that part of the reason is the old "elegant variation," i.e., to avoid repetition.

I don't think there is any attempt at not respecting the President by using "Mr." I have seen editorials on the Wall Street Journal editorial page--can't say that is not supportive of President Bush (most times)--refer to the President as "Mr. Bush."

[prairiebreeze]

It seems Alec Russell just can't bring himself to refer to him as President Bush.

This comment: In the past six months, the White House has been haunted by the prematurely triumphalist tone of Mr Bush's "victory" landing on an aircraft carrier against the backdrop of a banner saying "Mission Accomplished"... illustrates to me that Russell doesn't really know what he's talking about.

Prairie

[OldPossum]

Take some of that back. I actually read the article and didn't see him referred to as President Bush. Nevertheless, I stand by my position that I don't think any disrespect is intended.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Maybe it is okay. But I wonder what the author would refer to Clinton as.

[ImpBill]

"For Dr Dean, the timing could not have been worse."

For America, the timing could not have been better!

For all the issues I have with our Presidents domestic agenda, he is the right man, at the right time, for the right job. Most especially when looking at who else is available.