EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT: David Frum's "The Right Man"

The Hill ^ | 1/8/03 | David Frum

[Mortimer Snavely]

This kind of glib one-liner silliness replaces serious analysis all too often. More than a few people around here at this forum imagine that serious research and analysis is really a rather boring and tedious form of one upmanship and witty repartée.

It indicates a more than passing current interest in popular entertainment, TeeVee substituted for books as a child, and an urbane foppishness that belongs in a sixteenth century Florentine oligarch's evening festivities, and certainly not in any group of people seriously inclined to deal with serious problems.

Yes, there's a little bit of a borderline personality disorder at work here, but you're probably too giddy and are giggling too much to have the insight to perceive it.

[AmishDude]

This kind of glib one-liner silliness replaces serious analysis all too often.

You're absolutely right. But, frankly, I can't assume you'd be able to comprehend either the Itô calculus or even traditional Newtonian mathematics sufficiently to have a deep discussion of econometrics.

More than a few people around here at this forum imagine that serious research and analysis is really a rather boring and tedious form of one upmanship and witty repartée.

I see the prophet is unhappy at being unwelcome in his own country.

It indicates a more than passing current interest in popular entertainment, [We are entering a region of intense ranting. Please make sure your seat is in the locked, upright position.] TeeVee substituted for books as a child,

Quite right. I hardly read books at all anymore, just the occasional research paper. Light stuff, that.

and an urbane foppishness [This rant brought to you by Thesaurus.com] that belongs in a sixteenth century Florentine oligarch's [Folks, "oligarch" in this context is nothing more than a prince. And I don't know what he has against Florence, either. But I have noticed that sixteenth century Italian nobility were sorely lacking in "TeeVee".] evening festivities, and certainly not in any group of people seriously inclined to deal with serious problems.

Tell us, Niccolo, what is the solution?

Yes, there's a little bit of a borderline personality disorder at work here,

Thanks, doc.

but you're probably too giddy

That a professional opinion?

and are giggling too much

hee hee

to have the insight to perceive it.

It seems that I don't need to, you're going to go ahead and tell me anyway.

[AmishDude]

Work quadratic equations for fun?

Come on, MM, quadratics are easy. The quadratic equation is simple. Quintics, now that's something serious!

[Mortimer Snavely]

Get your Lithium level checked. Mathematicians are not immune to manic flights of raving enthusiasm for complicated calculations. You'll be awake for the next week or so, maybe you'd want to grind a lens for a telescope or something. Occupational therapy helps. Start taking your medicine again, too. I promise you, you'll feel better.

You'll still have a fop's attitude when you come down, though. Nothing can change that.

[AmishDude]

You'll be awake for the next week or so, maybe you'd want to grind a lens for a telescope or something. Occupational therapy helps. Start taking your medicine again, too. I promise you, you'll feel better.

Uh, yeah. Listen, don't try the comedy if you're not ready. It's OK, not everybody can handle it.

[Marysecretary]

God knows what's going on. Bush didn't bring these problems with him, they were already here. It's taken many years for these things to evolve. I wish our government would take a stand against allowing illegal immigrants to come across our borders. I hate politics. They certainly are not in our best interest and I, too, hope Bush and the pubbies do something about it before we have another 911 on our hands. But there truly IS a greater plan for this nation and God is in control. Very bad times are coming and we need to press into God for His help and protection.

[Howlin]

About $100,000 worth.

No kidding? In one day.

Where will they be published?

[RLK]

About $100,000 worth. No kidding? In one day. Where will they be published?

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I'm not in the mood for any more flip comments from wise-ass brats. Get stuffed.

[driftless]

Yes oh Great One. We all prostrate ourselves before you in awe at the genius of your infallible utterances. Get over yourself.

[Howlin]

I'd say your response puts into doubt the "accuracy" of your remark.

If you make that kind of money, you're either George Will or Charles Krauthammer; somehow I don't think so.

[Howlin]

I have that book, too. It doesn't quite live up to the "makes Bush look bad" rantings from the liberals AND the "real" conservatives, does it?

[RLK]

If you make that kind of money, you're either George Will or Charles Krauthammer; somehow I don't think so.

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You don't think at all. You just flap your mouth.

Will and Krauthammer make about $10,000 a day. I never claimed to make that.

[hchutch]

Yeah... it's almost as if they WANT Bush to fail.

Well, tough luck for them. Bush is going to get the problems solved - and solved in a manner most folks will like.

[Howlin]

MISS MARPLE: How was your Sunday? I am interested in what occupied your time. I am sure it wasn't something as plebian as football. Did you write a few short essays? Translate Homer from the original Greek? Work quadratic equations for fun?

YOU: About $100,000 worth.

Apparently you can't keep up with your own babble.

[Howlin]

Isn't that something: wanting the country to go down the tubes so that "they" can take power and show us just how it should/could/ought to be done.

I wonder how many young Americans need to die before we all "turn to them" to save us.

[carton253]

When the history of this nation is written in the future, Bush will be credited with setting up its final decline...

Then as prudent, serious, and honest as you are (and don't forget humble), I hope you have your underground bunker built and well stocked. Because from your post, there is no hope. I mean especially since someone of your stature won't be running for President.

[Marysecretary]

Guess not.

[hchutch]

It's either that or a "destroy the villiage to save it" mentality.

I don't know which it is. It could be a mix of both, IMO, among some of the "real conservatives" I have seen in various places. For some, Bush's "transgressions" in certain issues warrant steps that will lead to electing a Dem.

For others, it's stuff that is, IMO, very hard to discern from vigilante justice. Neither are helpful to getting the problems we face SOLVED.

[Mortimer Snavely]

"Bush is going to get the problems solved - and solved in a manner most folks will like."

The solution to most problems in life require periods of discomfort. The ability to motivate people to endure this discomfort is what is meant by leadership. The ability to endure this sort of discomfort is what is meant by maturity.

There's a lesson here.

[Mortimer Snavely]

'...Bush's "transgressions" in certain issues...'

These transgressions make him indistinguishable from most Democrats. The differences which get all too many conservatives excited around here are as substantive as the differences between solid ties with striped shirts and striped ties with solid shirts.