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A Plague of Toadies
The New York Times ^ | Published: November 18, 2004 | MAUREEN DOWD

Posted on 11/18/2004 12:45:10 PM PST by freeparella

I went to see the magical "Pericles'' at the Shakespeare Theater the other night.

In ancient Greece, the prince of Tyre tires of all the yes men around him. He chooses to trust the one courtier who intrepidly tells him: "They do abuse the king that flatter him. ... Whereas reproof, obedient and in order, fits kings, as they are men, for they may err.'' Not flatter the king? Listen to dissenting viewpoints? Rulers who admit they've erred?

It's all so B.C. (Before Cheney).

Now, in the 21st-century reign of King George II, flattery is mandatory, dissent is forbidden, and erring without admitting error is the best way to get ahead. President Bush is purging the naysayers who tried to temper crusted-nut-bar Dick Cheney and the neocon crazies on Iraq.

First, faith trumped facts. Now, loyalty trumps competence. W., who was the loyalty enforcer for his father's administration, is now the loyalty enforcer for his own.

Those promoted to be in charge of our security, diplomacy and civil liberties were rewarded for being more loyal to Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney than to the truth.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dowd; zetajones
The New York SLIMES.
1 posted on 11/18/2004 12:45:10 PM PST by freeparella
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To: freeparella

brought to you by those who make up the news they print


2 posted on 11/18/2004 12:47:26 PM PST by NoClones
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To: freeparella
Oh Mo - Get over yourself! How does the Slimes justify paying this harpie to write this drivel?
3 posted on 11/18/2004 12:47:40 PM PST by Rummyfan
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To: freeparella

4 posted on 11/18/2004 12:49:47 PM PST by BenLurkin (Big government is still a big problem.)
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To: freeparella

I'd take Maureen Dowd more seriously if she wore some miniskirts and displayed some cleavage. Maybe a little 'slut tatoo' on her ankle?


smirk, smirk...


5 posted on 11/18/2004 12:50:07 PM PST by wvobiwan (Touchdown! Suckers walk...)
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To: Rummyfan

In other words, GWB should have people on his cabinet who will undermine him, give aid and comfort to his enemies and release smear books about him? ROFL!


6 posted on 11/18/2004 12:50:09 PM PST by Pete98
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To: freeparella
I went to see the magical "Pericles'' at the Shakespeare Theater the other night.

the author should have ended his story after writing that line.

7 posted on 11/18/2004 12:53:29 PM PST by mlocher (america is a sovereign state)
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To: Pete98

Exactly, how much carping about "yes men" went on during the Clinton debacle?


8 posted on 11/18/2004 12:54:44 PM PST by SoDak (Home of Senator John Thune)
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To: freeparella

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282899/posts


9 posted on 11/18/2004 12:54:57 PM PST by RushCrush (I Heart Halliburton)
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To: freeparella
Rulers who admit they've erred? It's all so B.C. (Before Cheney). "

So other than when he was caught with physical evidence, when did Clinton admit he was ever wrong? And why did this "admitting you're wrong" crap become so important in a president?

10 posted on 11/18/2004 12:56:13 PM PST by Darkwolf377 (If it is not fearful, it is not worthwhile. - Paul Tornier)
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To: Darkwolf377

"And why did this "admitting you're wrong" crap become so important in a president?"

Same old liberal mantra:

If you can't beat 'em, find a way to humiliate 'em.


11 posted on 11/18/2004 1:07:14 PM PST by Zechariah_8_13
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To: Zechariah_8_13
Same old liberal mantra:

No kidding!

It's what these losers always say AFTER they lose. If they win there's never any talk about leading by consensus or picking folks of moderation for leadership positions. Imagine a Daschle or a Leahy talking about the need for consensus building after winning an election?

It's absurd! Only a fool listens to this stuff and acts on it.

12 posted on 11/18/2004 2:37:33 PM PST by ThirstyMan
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To: freeparella

There is much more diversity of opinion in Bush's cabinet than in the entire writing staff of the NY Slimes.


13 posted on 11/18/2004 2:43:11 PM PST by FreedomSurge
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To: freeparella
I went to see the magical "Pericles'' at the Shakespeare Theater the other night.

Fie Fie upon her. She's able to freeze the god Priapus, and undo a whole generation. We must either get her ravishe'd or be rid of her. - Pericles Act IV Scene V

14 posted on 11/18/2004 2:54:00 PM PST by Timocrat (I Emanate on your Auras and Penumbras Mr Blackmun)
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To: freeparella

Hello newbie. Welcome to FreeRepublic.com. Didn't waste much time.


15 posted on 11/18/2004 2:57:39 PM PST by MHGinTN (If you can read this, you've had life support from someone. Promote life support for others.)
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To: MHGinTN

Thank you! Thank you! I love it here. : )


16 posted on 11/18/2004 7:06:33 PM PST by freeparella (I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising Him.)
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