Tag Archives | Lapsus Linguae

Torremolinos, Torremolinos

A successfully iconic satire destroys the viability of its target. After Tina Fey’s celebrated skit on SNL, for example, Russia’s visibility from Alaska could never again be invoked without derision as an argument for Sarah Palin’s expertise in international affairs. This is a lesson that Sean Gabb really should have taken to heart before offering this particular defense of race-baiting anti-immigrant politician Enoch Powell ….

We therefore say this with regard to Enoch Powell. He was a classical scholar of great brilliance and distinction. His Lexicon to Herodotus (1938) is one of the most valuable works ever produced on the ancient historian. As well as in Latin and Greek, he was fluent in every main European language, and in Welsh. He was also at least competent in several ancient and modern oriental languages.
Sean Gabb, 2011

And then you get cornered by some drunken greengrocer from Luton with an Instamatic and Dr. Scholl sandals and last Tuesday’s Daily Express and he drones on and on and on about how Mr. Smith should be running this country and how many languages Enoch Powell can speak and then he throws up all over the Cuba Libres.
Monty Python, 1972


The Song of Broken Glass

This purported quote from Krugman has been making the internet rounds:

Krugman

People on twitter might be joking, but in all seriousness, we would see a bigger boost in spending and hence economic growth if the earthquake had done more damage.

Apparently the quote is a fake, and Krugman is irritated that people would attribute “stupid or outrageous” remarks to him without verifying their authenticity.

Certainly the people circulating this quote should have checked their sources more carefully. All the same, there’s a reason people assumed it was genuine. After all, Krugman is the guy who, the day after the 9/11 attacks, quite genuinely wrote:

Ghastly as it may seem to say this, the terror attack – like the original day of infamy, which brought an end to the Great Depression [sic] – could even do some economic good. … Now, all of a sudden, we need some new office buildings. … rebuilding will generate at least some increase in business spending.

For quotes from other members of the glaziers’ lobby, see here.


Should Sex Be Illegal? Only At the Local Level!

Presidential aspirant Jon Huntsman tells Piers Morgan that he can think of no “issue more important” than the debt ceiling; “that is about as fundamental as it gets.” (More fundamental than not beating, maiming, and killing quite so many people, apparently.)

Christine O’Donnell tells Piers Morgan (shortly before bizarrely storming off his show in mid-interview) that her views on sex are not relevant to her status as a national politician “because there aren’t laws outlawing sex; and if there are, they should be on the local level.”

Speaking of O’Donnell, there ought to be something called Wiccan, Blynken and Nod. According to Google there isn’t yet, and that’s just wrong.


Why Lawrence O’Donnell Is Not a Real Journalist Either

Lawrence O'Donnell

Lawrence O’Donnell accuses a “right-wing website” (he means Reason.com) for refusing to criticise cops – even though Reason.com not only frequently criticises cops, but regularly carries the columns of Radley Balko, one of the most prominent critics of police brutality in the country.

Nick Gillespie responds.

Kevin Carson responds.

Radley Balko responds and then responds some more.

I would hold my breath waiting for O’Donnell’s apology and retraction, only I’m not suicidal. As Kevin points out, O’Donnell himself has admitted that he regards only the great and powerful as deserving of courtesy.


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